A dog walker died from multiple dog bites to the neck, an inquest has heard.

Natasha Johnston, 28, died from "multiple penetrating dog bites to the neck" and a wound to her jugular vein, an inquest opening into her death at Surrey Coroner's Court has heard.

The coroner sitting at Woking revealed that post mortem examination showed Natasha was killed by shock and a haemorrhage, including perforation of the left jugular vein and multiple penetrating dog bites to the neck after she was mauled by dogs on January 12 in Gravelly Hill, Caterham, Surrey.

At the opening of the inquest, Simon Wickens, the coroner, expressed his "sincere condolences" to Ms Johnston's family "and all those touched by her life".

The coroner said on Tuesday: "A post-mortem examination was carried out at Royal Surrey County Hospital on 18 January.

"The medical cause of death (was) given as 1a) shock and haemorrhage including perforation of the left jugular vein, and in 1b) the pathologist places multiple penetrating dog bites to her neck.

"The reason for the inquest required is the nature of the traumatic injuries."

Mr Wickens formally recognised the family of Ms Johnston, who was from Surrey, as interested persons in the proceedings.

"I offer Natasha's family and indeed all those touched by her life my sincere condolences," he said.

He fixed a date of 29 June for the inquest to begin but added that it could be subject to change.

This is a breaking story, more to follow.