THE family of a nursery nurse who was bludgeoned to death in Jersey has spoken of their horror and sense of loss.

Tracy Burns suffered massive head injuries after she was attacked yards from her home on the island.

The 35-year-old, from Gateshead, was found battered and bleeding in the street.

She was taken to the island's general hospital, where she worked on the children's ward, but doctors were unable to save her.

Miss Burns' mother, Marjorie, was distraught after officers from Northumbria Police broke the news.

Her cousin, Kathleen Rowley, said: "It just has not sunk in. The whole family is devastated - we just can't believe this has happened."

Chief inspector Andr Bonjour, who is heading the inquiry in Jersey, said the death shocked the island, where incidents of this nature were "very very rare".

Miss Burns was brought up in Gates-head. After leaving school, she worked locally as a nursery nurse, before securing work in Jersey 12 years ago.

She frequently return-ed to Tyneside to visit her mother, also a carer, her stepfather Paddy, 58, a builder, and brother, David, and his wife, Amanda, in Edinburgh.

Mrs Rowley, 39, a secretary said: "She was a happy-go-lucky person who really embraced life.

"She loved to travel and loved living in Jersey, but she was in constant touch with her mum and brother. She adored them, and they are a close family.

"She absolutely adored children and was a perfect nursery nurse - my children loved her.

"She was one of the most gentle caring people I had ever met."

* Paul Greenan, 18, a labourer from Belfast, appeared before magistrates charged with murder, attempted rape and robbery. He was remanded in custody for two weeks.