A FAMILY today paid tribute to the 'fun loving mum' who died in a multiple pile-up on the M56 in Runcorn.

Mum Julie Darnell, aged 39, from St Helens was killed in a collision involing an empty coach, two HGVs and a car between junction 12 and 14 on Thursday, October 9.

A family statement issued today said: "Julie was the much loved partner of Billy Hickman and loving mother of Sean, daughter of Mary and the late George Darnell, sister to Paul and Nicola and auntie to Connor, Anya and Thomas.

"Julie was a former student of St.Cuthberts Secondary School and Carmel College in St. Helens.

“She was an avid Liverpool supporter and had a love of motor sports in particular F1 and would often get up early with Billy and Sean to watch the Grand Prix.

She will be greatly missed by all her family, friends and colleagues.

"Julie was full of fun with a great sense of humour and lived life to the full, a very special confident woman who was kind, considerate, caring and touched so many people′s lives.

"There is now a massive void in our lives that can never be filled. We will all miss her dearly but we are so proud that we have many wonderful memories of her to cherish.”

A 49-year-old man from Durham also died in the crash.