Grieving family pay tribute to 'beautiful' PC Nicola Hughes
THE grieving family of PC Nicola Hughes described her yesterday as a "beautiful child" who was always "happy with life".
Nicola, 23, whose boyfriend was named last night as Gareth Cleminson, 24, lived in the village of Diggle, near Oldham, Greater Manchester, with her mother Sue, 50, and her stepfather Mick.
Her father Bryn, 48, is a prison warden who has re-married to Natalie-Joan, 31, and works at Wake-field maximum security jail in West Yorkshire. Her brother Samuel, 20, is a judo instructor. The Hughes family said: "Nicola was our only daughter and a beautiful child. She was happy and lived for her family.
Nicola made such a big difference to everyone she knew. She cared about everyone and especially her colleagues.
"She had an infectious personality and sense of humour and was a very caring and loving girl.
"Nicola made such a big difference to everyone she knew. She cared about everyone and especially her colleagues."
At Nicola's grandmother Joy's home in Oldham last night, family and friends gathered but were too upset to talk about their loss.