A woman has died after being attacked by her pet dogs at her home in Cheshire.

Police were called to a house in Widnes on Tuesday at about 5.15pm following reports that a woman, named locally as Elayne Stanley, 44, had been mauled by two dogs.

She was treated by paramedics but her injuries were too serious and she died at the scene.

Neighbours told the Liverpool Echo they had heard screaming and Stanley’s daughter shouting one of the dog’s names. Other neighbours reportedly tried to stop the attack by throwing bricks at the animals.

Another neighbour, Dorothy Woodward, described Stanley as “lovely”, adding: “She was a beautiful person and very friendly.”

Cheshire police said one of the dogs, thought to be a breed of mastiff, was destroyed. Officers tried to catch both dogs to remove them but were unable to tranquilise one, so it was shot and killed. The other dog is now in a secure kennel.

Stanley is thought to have had three daughters, including twins. Police said the woman’s next of kin had been informed and were being supported.

DI Ian Whiley said: “We understand that people in the local community will be concerned when they hear about what has happened.

“But I would like to reassure residents that we are doing all that we can to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

“However, at this stage, it is believed that the dogs were known to the woman and were living at the address.

“This has been an extremely distressing incident and our thoughts are with the woman’s family at this difficult time.”