A retired bricklayer admitted stabbing his wife to death at their home.

James Gumbrell, 62, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and not guilty of murder by reason of diminished responsibility at a short hearing in Lewes Crown Court this morning.

Deborah Gumbrell was stabbed in the heart, a coroner said.

Mrs Gumbrell, 59, died at her home in Northbourne Close, Shoreham, on October 24.

A trial date for Mr Gumbrell has been set for next month.

Mrs Gumbrell worked for many years at Marks and Spencer in Brighton and later as a nursery assistant.

Tributes poured in for her, with one neighbour calling her “a very nice, very kind lady who always stopped to talk to you”.

Another person said: "Debbie was a fantastic key worker to our two boys at the nursery she worked at, they adored her. We are distraught at the news. She will be sorely missed.”

Police are still keen to hear from anyone with information which could help with the investigation.

Information can be reported to police online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Terrace.