THE grieving partner of a woman who died in a tragic accident told today how he planned to bring up their new-born daughter himself.

Sheila Spence, is believed to have drowned after suffering an epileptic seizure and falling face down into a baby bath she was preparing for baby Amber, born just 11 days ago.

The alarm was raised by Miss Spence's nine-year-old daughter Sarah, who discovered the scene and phoned for help.

Mr John Lang rushed to his girlfriend's house in Formby Close on Blackburn's Fishmoor estate but was too late to save the 31-year-old.

Baby Amber was found close to her mother's body but was given a clean bill of health by doctors at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Mr Lang said Amber, who was born on Father's Day, had been the best present a father could ask for.

"She looks just like her mum and has got the same lovely brown hair. I am used to looking after babies and Amber is no trouble at all."

Mr Lang, a single parent who lives with his three sons in Peel Close on the Longshaw estate, said he and Sheila had been together 14 months and had been planning a future together. "Sheila was a wonderful, happy person. She was always happy and was a loving, tender woman.

"Amber was a bit unexpected but we were both delighted when she arrived. We were planning to go into town on the day Sheila died to pick up the first pictures of Amber from the developers.

"It was going to be our first trip out together as a family and then this happened. I am absolutely devastated."

Mr Lang, 41, said Sheila had told him she had epilepsy when they first started going out with each other.

"She never had any trouble in all the time we were together. I am sure if she had not been filling the bath she would still be with us now."

Sheila's other two daughters Sarah and Laura, age 10 are being looked after by their father.

The family have rallied together and are planning to set up a trust fund for the three girls.

Joseph Dean, Miss Spence's father, of Isherwood Street, Ewood, said his family was still coming to terms with the sudden tragedy.

He said: "We are all taking it very hard but the girls have been hit very badly, they are both devastated. The whole thing is heart rending and very hard to cope with.

"We are having real difficult coming to terms with what has happened."

"Sheila was a very happy person and a wonderful mother. Her children meant everything to her and were the most important thing in her life."

A funeral service is planned for next Tuesday at Pleasington Crematorium.

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