A WELL-KNOWN former school worker has been stabbed to death whilst out celebrating his birthday.

Anthony Eaves, who was brought up in Blackburn and was a familiar face on the town's Wimberley estate, died after an incident in Wigan. A man has been charged with his murder.

Today his brother Martin spoke of the grief suffered by his family following the death of the young father who everyone knew as Tony.

Martin said his brother, formerly of Preston New Road, Blackburn, and New Lane, Oswaldtwistle, doted on his baby daughter and was looking forward to becoming a father for the second time.

He was out celebrating his 32nd birthday when he was stabbed.

Greater Manchester Police said a 32-year-old man suffered fatal stab wounds in an incident at Dorning Street, Wigan, shortly after 4am on Saturday.

A man has been arrested and charged with murder.

Martin, of the Audley area of Blackburn, today said the whole family was devastated by Tony's death.

Police today confirmed that Anthony had moved to Wigan to start a new life after being jailed for 18 months in 1999 when he tried to abduct a 10-year-old child from Blackburn Shopping Centre.

His solicitor told Preston Crown Court Anthony was so drunk he could not remember the offence and there was no sinister motive.

Martin, 24, said: "Tony moved to Wigan about two years ago to start again. He wanted a fresh start and didn't think he could get it in Blackburn.

"He was really happy that he had got himself together, he had a nice house, a baby daughter and his girlfriend is pregnant again. We are all really shocked, I can hardly talk about it."

Martin said his parents Brian and Louise, who live in the Whalley New Road area of Blackburn, had travelled to Wigan to comfort Tony's girlfriend Joanne. Louise and Joanne had to identify Tony's body.

Martin said he had planned to celebrate his brother's birthday with him.

He said: "I was going to go to Wigan on Friday to celebrate his birthday with him but I didn't have the bus fare. I wish I had gone now."

Tony has a younger sister, Julie and another brother, Brian, living in Blackburn. His cousin Joanne Woods, who also lives in the town, described him as a popular lad with lots of friends.

She said: "He was the type of person who would make you laugh. He was kind and really good with everyone. Lots of his friends are shocked by this. Most of the Wimberley estate knew him."

Tony, who had worked as a cleaner at St Alban's Primary School, in Trinity Street, was last in Blackburn only two weeks ago where he caught up with old friends.

Martin said he was going to spend time with his brother over Easter.

Funeral arrangements have not been made although Martin said Tony will be interred in Blackburn, probably at Pleasington Cemetery.

PIC: Anthony Eaves, who had tried to start a new life in Wigan.