A young girl who lost her life when she was struck by a train at Hoylake on Friday has been named as 16-year-old Rachelle Owen.

She was the daughter of Kay Diamond, allegedly murdered two months ago in a violent attack.

The family of the West Kirby teenager today said: "Rachelle was a beautiful, vibrant, loved daughter, granddaughter, sister and niece, who attended Hilbre High School Humanities College.

"She will be greatly missed forever by all of her family and friends.

"This is a double tragedy to our family following the recent death and funeral of her mum, Kay Diamond."

Rachelle's mum was found dead in a flat in Toxteth on February 28.

Wirral Globe:

Rachelle's mother Kay Diamond

A post-mortem found she died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.

Anthony Blye, 52, from Toxteth, was charged with murder, but denied causing her death.

He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court in early March via video link from HMP Liverpool.

Blye spoke only to confirm his name, age and address, and sat with his head bowed during the hearing.

He is yet to enter a formal plea, but Judge David Aubrey, QC, asked Dan Travers, defending, whether his client admitted causing the death of Ms Diamond.

Mr Travers replied: "No, he does not."

A plea and case management hearing will be held in June.

In a statement yesterday, a British Tranpsort Police spokesman said: "Shortly before 9.40pm on Friday, April 17, we were called following reports of a person having been struck by a train near to Drummond Lane, Hoylake.

"Our officers attended, alongside colleagues from Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service, and discovered a young woman, believed to be from the local area, had been struck and killed by a train.

"The incident is not being treated as suspicious and we will now assist in the compilation of a report for the coroner."

Tributes from friends of the teenager have been paid on facebook.

One wrote: "RIP Rachelle, one of the most amazing people I knew. You will be loved and missed by everyone who knew you."

Another said: "So sad. Now she in the arms of her mum, God bless her and her family."

And another left this message: "Heaven has gained the most beautiful angel there is. Thoughts go out to family and friends. Gone but never forgotten."

On Saturday morning, a householder who lives near the scene of the incident told the Globe: "There were police and ambulance sirens going for what seemed like all night.

"It was awful because we knew something very serious must have happened.

"There have been a lot of fatalities on this line over recent years.

"Our thoughts go out to the family. It must be absolutely horrendous for them."