A murder trial is due to open today after the death of Tina Cantello.

Tina Cantello, 49, of Basildon, was on her way to the last of three door-to-door collection jobs when she disappeared in June.

Her body was found in a house about two miles from where her family believe she was last seen.

Geoffrey Hutton, 38, denied one charge of murder at Chelsmford Crown Court in August.

A trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court is due to start today, with the court estimating that it will last about three weeks.

The mum-of-three, who worked as a debt collector for Provident, was a hugely popular figure in the community.

A memorial walk was attended by hundreds of people, who laid flowers and released balloons in her memory.

A fundraising page raised more than £7,000 for her funeral and family.