A DALES community has been left in a state of shock after a man was charged with the murder of his wife, a keen sportswoman and the mother of their two children.

Tributes have been flooding in for nurse Tracy Dryden, 37, of Ingleton, who died of a single stab wound to the chest following an incident in the street in Halton, near Lancaster.

In a statement Mrs Dryden’s parents, Patricia and Peter Jackson and sister Nicky, said: "Tracy was a loving and wonderful mother, daughter and sister.

"She had many friends and a real enthusiasm for walking, swimming, running and climbing with her sons.

“She was completely dedicated to her two children. She will be dreadfully missed by us and is an irreplaceable part of all our lives."

The alarm was raised by a passer-by and paramedics were called to School House Lane at 8.30am but Mrs Dryden, a medical PhD student who also worked at Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe - was pronounced dead at the scene on Friday morning.

On Wednesday, husband John Dryden, 43, of Thacking Drive, Ingleton, appeared at Preston Crown Court charged with her murder.

He was remanded in custody and will appear again on June 14 to make a plea.

Earlier detectives cordoned off the area and made door to door inquiries in the village.

Investigating officer Detective Superintendent Kevin Toole, from the Lancashire Constabulary Major Investigation Team, said: "People in Halton were shocked and amazed that such a tragic incident has taken place in such a lovely community.

"My officers have interviewed a number of significant witnesses in Halton and their information has proved invaluable to the investigation."

Mr Dryden, a quarry worker and keen fell runner, is also involved with local football club Craven Wanderers as manager of the under 12s team.

On the team’s website he is described as “a great club man.”

Best friend Sophie Jones, 20, said: “She was the last person you would expect this to happen to because there was not one thing wrong with her. She was perfect.

“If you were having a bad day she would make everything better with her smile. She was an amazing mum, so bubbly.

“She was such a positive role model. She was like a sister to me. If I could be half the person she was I would be happy.”

Ms Jones, from Settle, said Mrs Dryden was living at Ingleborough Park Drive with her two children Owen, 8, and Lee, 11 - who attend Ingleton Middle School.

In Halton, flowers and tributes were laid at the scene of the incident.

Mrs Dryden was a member of Settle Harriers and took part in ultra distance events such as the Fellsman Hike. She won the club’s annual triathlon event last year.

Club chairman Alex Pilkington said: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Tracy's tragic death. Our sympathy and love go out to her family and two children. She was a talented, wonderful person and will be greatly missed by the club members and their families.”

In Ingleton, residents and traders said the close-knit community was in shock.

David Ireton, a former butcher in Ingleton and a county and district councillor, said he knew the couple quite well through them coming into his shop.

“I was stunned to hear of the tragedy and can’t quite believe it has happened. John is a local lad and is always pleasant.

"It’s a struggle to understand it all and why it has happened.

"I used to see Tracy occasionally and she was always pleasant too; always cheery and always said hello. My thoughts are now with her family and her two boys,” he said.

Residents said Mrs Dryden - who had lived in Ingleton for a number of years - drove to Halton every day with her bike and then cycled to the university.

She had been a student at Lancaster University for six years, initially graduating with an MA in Health Research before securing a university studentship studying a Phd, also in health research.

A Lancaster University spokesman said: “At the time of her death she was very close to completing her doctoral thesis. She will be greatly missed by friends and colleagues.”

The Rev Charles Ellis, of St Mary’s Church in Ingleton, said: “Everyone is shocked by it and people cannot understand what has happened.”