A tragic young mum spoke of her "pride" and career plans for the future - including opening a salon in Liverpool.

Melissa Belshaw, 32, was killed at her home eight days ago, suffering "catastrophic" stab wounds in front of her 13-year-old daughter.

The beautician was on the verge of opening up a new salon and had transformed a business premises in Wigan, which she was hoping to launch when lockdown ended.

But Ms Belshaw was tragically killed last week in Upholland Road, Billinge, on the border of St Helens and Wigan.

The ECHO has learned how the excited parent was enthusiastically looking towards better times, and to making a success of her professional life.

And she indicated how she was also considering setting up a salon in Liverpool, a city with which she had an affinity and visited often.

In a message to friends, just a day or two before her death, Ms Belshaw wrote: "Never felt as proud, the money and effort put into this.

"Can't wait for it all to be lit up, my sign in 3D.

"It's taken me some time to turn my life around, and look what I've done.

"Opened my shop myself, then onto another in Liverpool.

"I deserve every moment of this."

Friends have told the ECHO how Ms Belshaw was eyeing up a business unit in the north of the city, possibly around Kirkdale and Vauxhall.

Floral tributes for Melissa Belshaw
Tributes and pictures left to Melissa Belshaw

She was being helped to develop her growing work plans with a well-connected friend from Liverpool, it was added.

One friend said: "Mel always had a soft spot for Liverpool.

"She loved the beauty scene and knew people from the city.

"She had so many ideas and was excitedly sharing them with people.

Tributes and pictures left to Melissa Belshaw

"To be taken like this, particularly when she had so much positivity for the road ahead is truly tragic."

Last week, we reported how messages had been left on the shutters of The Lash Room in Wigan, the salon she was close to opening

One said, "you did it," referencing her successful business plans, and it ended, alongside glamorous photos of her, with the word, "Gutted."

A tribute left on the Lash Room website, added: "You, Melissa, put your heart and soul into this salon and we did it."

Melissa Belshaw

A heroic neighbour, in his 40s, tried to intervene and save Ms Belshaw's life, but he too suffered numerous stab wounds, and was rushed to hospital.

Last checked, his condition was described as stable.

Andrew Wadsworth is charged with Melissa's murder.

The 36-year-old, of Cranfield Road, Wigan, faces more charges of attempted murder, making threats to kill, threatening a person with a knife and assaulting two police officers.

He was remanded in custody at Manchester Crown Court and will next appear before the court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on September 14.