A FORMER boyfriend has been charged with murdering a young mum who was attacked as she pushed her baby along in a pram.

Bevan Richardo Williams, who is in his 20s and from Chorley, was due to appear at the town's magistrates court today.

The move came as a shocked community tried to come to terms with the death of 25-year-old Melanie Horridge, who was found lying in an alleyway with multiple stab wounds.

Another man who was arrested in connection with the death has been released without charge.

Melanie, of Talbot Road, Chorley, was stabbed repeatedly in the neck, body and arms as she pushed her four-month-old son Oliver in an alleyway which runs between Stratford Road and Wright Street, off Stump Lane, on Friday evening.

Melanie had left her mother's house in Seymour Street at 6.30pm to make a telephone call at a nearby phone box and detectives said she had tried to defend herself.

Melanie was discovered unconscious and face down in a pool of blood at 7.30pm by three teenage boys who were playing nearby and heard Oliver's screams.

The boys called an ambulance and she was taken to Chorley Hospital where she died. Oliver was unharmed.

Her sister, Michelle, has paid tribute to a "much loved" member of their family.

And prayers for Melanie and her children were said across the town in Sunday morning services as feelings of disbelief spread through the town.

Forensic officers carried out searches at the scene and at Melanie's home where she lived with her partner.

Melanie's two elder children, three-year-old Lewis and two-year-old Louise, are being looked after by family.

Oliver was with foster parents as Melanie's parents were too shocked to look after him.

The family made an emotional visit to the scene on Saturday.

They clung to each other and laid flowers and cards at the scene.

One read" "With all my love forever and always, Mum."

Another read: "Goodnight Sweetheart, see you in heaven, Aunty Kathleen."

Michelle, 33, said: "Melanie was a much-loved member of our family.

"She would have done anything to help anyone.

"My mum has lost her daughter, we have lost a sister and our best friend.

"Our children have lost an aunty and most importantly the three children have been left without a mother.

"My sister suffered at the hands of a sick person who had no consideration for Melanie or her children."

Melanie's friend Janice France, 43, from St Anne's Road who used to live with her, said: "Melanie was lovely, a really nice, genuine girl.

"I cannot believe it has happened, I really can't.

"The last time I was talking to her was a few weeks ago.

"When I met Melanie I just clicked with her straight away, and I have always got on with her."

Melanie's ex-partner Darren Bound, 35, who used to live in Collingwood Road, Chorley, but now lives in Wigan said he had a six-month relationship with Melanie and had known her for 10 years.

He said: "I am trying to come to terms with it.

"I am just totally shocked. Melanie was just a feisty girl, a real free spirit. I did care about her, and I just can't believe what has happened." Detective Superintendent Paul Buschini, who is heading the murder investigation, said: "Melanie is the type of girl who would put up a fight and early indications are that this is what has happened."

Local residents spoke of their shock.

George Harrod, 66, of Stump Lane, a school caretaker at Highfield Primary School, Chorley, said: "Everyone is in shock at the moment.

"Something like that just doesn't happen around here."

Shawana Ahmed, 22, owner of Ahmed's newsagents, said: "I will not walk around on my own when it is dark now.

"It's just not safe. I know Melanie's sister and this is just terrible."

Lindsay Hoyle, MP for Chorley, said: "Obviously this is a horrendous crime that you would never expect to happen in Chorley.

"A young woman has been murdered and this will tragically affect the lives of three young children."

The Rev Doctor John Cree, Rector of Chorley, said: "Prayers were said at mass on Sunday morning as I am sure they were right across Chorley. The congregation were obviously deeply saddened by what has happened.

"This comes as a real shock to people here.

"Although we don't yet know the full circumstances of Melanie's death, at the present time we can only pray for Melanie's children and wider family."

Ward Councillor Mary Wilson said: "It's very worrying for everybody concerned in Chorley and the ward.

"It's devastating news for all the family and very upsetting for all the people who live in the ward that such an awful thing has happened."

Her husband Jack, leader of Chorley Council, said: "If there are any lessons that we can learn between the police and ourselves, as the Chorley partnership, then we will."