THE death of Widnes mum, Rebecca Bamber has shocked and saddened the close knit community of West Bank.

Rebecca, aged 42, known to her friends as Becky, moved to Mersey Road three to four years ago.

Police were called to her home in Mersey Road, Widnes, at 7.26am on Sunday, June 8, following reports of an assault.

She was taken to Whiston Hospital with serious injuries and died a short time later.

A young man who tried to save her has been praised.

Halton Clr Pam Wallace, who lives in West Bank, said: “A young couple living nearby reacted to her cries for help and performed CPR until an ambulance arrived. I would like to praise the young man for his actions and courage “I would also like to offer my sincere condolences to her daughter and extended family.

“This type of incident is isolated and could have happened anywhere in the country. West Bank is a great place to live and thriving with community spirit. This was apparent by the way this couple tried to save her.”

Flowers and tender tributes have been left outside Becky’s home, still cordoned off by police as forensic teams continue their forensic investigation.

West Bank resident Helen Grace said: “Becky has a daughter, Annie, who is 26. They were very close, like good friends.

“Becky was a lovely person. She always spoke to you and would do you a good turn. It is very sad.”

Audrey Hicks, aged 58, from Halton View, whose daughter, 37-year-old Lynnette Fraser, lives next door to Becky, said: “My daughter is very cut up about it. She was very close to Becky.

“Becky loved Lynette’s two boys, Harry, who is three and Jack who’s six. If they were out in the garden they’d always call over to her. If she saw them in the front, she’d take them over to the shop and buy them some sweets. She came to their birthdays.

“I was upset one day and she invited me in for a cup of tea. She was a very caring lady, always asking me if I was alright.

“She was looking forward to going on a hen night next weekend with a group of girls. This is a terrible shock.”

Tributes tied to flowers now line the street outside her house.

Messages include ‘Thinking of you, all our love Diane, Dave, Penny and Pippa’, ‘To my friend, Becky, thinking of you, RIP. Lots of love, Kerry, Mark and family’, and ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with you, sleep tight Becky, Simon and Heather’.

David John Hoyle, aged 38, of Idle Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, appeared in custody at Halton Magistrates Court in Runcorn on Tuesday, June 10,  charged with the murder of Rebecca Bamber.