TRIBUTES have poured in for a 41-year-old mum-of-three who was found dead at her home in Kearsley.

Carolyn Sharrocks' body was found by a member of her family at her home in Lord Street on Thursday morning.

A 39-year-old man was yesterday arrested on suspicion of murder and was being interviewed by police.

Police have confirmed that the suspect is a relative of Ms Sharrocks, who is thought to have been a single mother at the time of her death.

Family, friends and neighbours have described Ms Sharrocks, who leaves 18-year-old daughter Janie, son Josh, aged eight, and Jake, aged two, as "amazing" and a "dedicated mother".

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "I am really shocked. What I will remember is how dedicated she was to her children. She lived her life for her children, she was all about them.

"I used to see Carolyn at the shops. I wasn't close friends.

"But she would always talk about the kids. I want to send a card to each of them, with a moment when their mum had said how proud she was of them.

"She was very nice. It is just so sad."

Nicola Singh said: “So, so devastated to hear the news of this lovely girl who I went through primary and secondary school with and my heart goes out to her three children. Very sad and tragic news. Rip darling.”

A friend of Janie, who also asked not to be named, said: "She was amazing. She always looked after us.

"She did a lot for me and my friends, even gave us a place to stay sometimes. I heard it was Lord Street and I came straight away to find out. It's devastating."

Det Sgt Jerry Boakes appealed for anyone who spoke to Ms Sharrocks in the days before her death to come forward.

He said: “At this time the exact cause of death is unknown, however an investigation is well underway to establish exactly what has occurred.

“To that end, I am eager to hear from anyone who saw or spoke to Carolyn in the hours or days leading up to her body being found.”

Ms Sharrocks did not work full-time, according to neighbours, although she is thought to have a number of part-time jobs in the past and has lived in Lord Street for about six years.

Another neighbour, who also requested that her name not be used, said: "It is the children that upsets me the most; what will happen to them now?

"She was quiet, what I would call as a bit of a dreamy type of person, and she let the children do what they want.

"Her daughter Janie was lovely and really good with the kids."

Ms Sharrocks' mother died a number of years ago, according to neighbours, but her stepfather still regularly visited her and the children.

Ms Sharrocks' body is thought to have been found on the upstairs landing of the end-terraced house on Thursday, and police were called just after 8.30am.

A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday, but it failed to establish a cause of death. Police officers stayed at the scene until noon yesterday.

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 8568092, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.