TRIBUTES have been paid to a mum-of-two who died after being found with multiple stab wounds following a house fire.

Leanne Collopy died in hospital four days after the blaze at her home in Loveclough, Rossendale, on Sunday.

The 25-year-old was described as an 'amazing mum' by friends at the nursery where she worked.

Police rescued Miss Collopy along with her 23-month-old daughter and a 39-year-old man from the burning building in Burnley Road at around 10.45pm on Sunday.

The 39-year-old, who the Lancashire Telegraph understands to be the toddler's father, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in hospital where he has a police guard.

All were taken to different hospitals and further investigations found Miss Collopy had a number of stab wounds. She did not recover and died in hospital on Thursday.

Her daughter is still receiving treatment for serious burns.

Miss Collopy, who used to live in Waterfoot, worked as a nursery teacher at the Bright Futures Day Nursery in Crawshawbooth which her two children also attended.

Friends and colleagues Nicola Byrne and Sarah Hartley described her as a fantastic mum with a great sense of humour.

Mrs Hartley, 32, said the pair became friends because they have children the same age.

She said: "Leanne was just so funny.

"We worked in the same room together and I was the room leader and she would always help me out.

"I'm rubbish with IT so when I had to do the newsletter she would always help me.

"She was really good with the children. She was always the one to do 'messy play' and would be the first one to get the custard and jelly out.

"She would just make you laugh. She was a bit of a prankster.

"She spent all her time with her daughters.

"We would go on trips to Blackpool and used to go to the park together.

"We would also spend our Saturday nights watching movies together."

Sarah said they had spent the Saturday night before she died with some of the other girls having a girly night and cooking Mexican food. "It is so surreal. Everything was normal on Saturday night and then you come to work on Monday morning and get a message that she was in hospital."

Ms Byrne, 34, said: "She was an amazing mum, you could see it in the way she cared for the children.

"She wanted the best for them. She was meticulous and only a high standard was acceptable.

"Her girls are so bright. Her family must be really proud of her for what she has done for those girls.

"She was always up for a laugh and would always help you out.

"We are one big family here. She's really going to be missed."

Miss Collopy's landlady, who lives close to the house where Miss Collopy lived for about three months, said she was shocked.

She said: "Two little children have been left without a mum.

"I feel so sorry for the family. It is so upsetting.

"What a waste of a life."

Flowers and tributes were also left outside the house.

One read: "I can't actually believe I'm writing this. My heart is totally broken for your beautiful girls.

"Go fly high with the angels beautiful lady. We will all miss you so much at work."

Another said: "Dear Leanne. We won't ever forget your lovely smile. Rest in peace."

And one said: "Sleep tight. Gone but never forgotten. We love you."

Det Ch Insp Mark Vaughton said: "These are tragic circumstances and my thoughts are with her family and friends.

"Our inquiries continue to establish exactly what happened."

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 101, quoting log reference 1670 of July 30.