The parents of a mother-oftwo who was murdered at the weekend yesterday paid tribute to their daughter as a "loving, kind, caring person".

Julie Biggs, aged 27, from Gort Road, Knutton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, died shortly after being taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire on Sunday.

Officers and paramedics were called to a property in the street after reports of a disturbance.

Julie's parents, Barbara and Terry Biggs, also from Knutton, said they were devastated.

In a statement released through Staffordshire Police, they said: "Julie was a loving, kind, caring person.

"She became a care assistant at the age of 17 at Chiltern Retirement Home in Basford, Stoke-on-Trent, and, after having time off to raise her children, worked there until she died.

"Julie would help anyone in need. She was a loving mother to her two children and a wonderful daughter. We are all devastated by her loss."

Julie had a eight-year-old daughter and a ten-month-old son.

* A 40-year-old man was last night charged with murder, police said.