Four children are facing Christmas without their young mother who died suddenly at their Colchester home.

Samantha Ratcliffe, 29, of Trafalgar Road, Lexden, was discovered by her nine-year-old daughter, Sophie, just eleven days before Christmas.

Now Sophie, Alistair, eight, four-year-old Amie and two-year-old Lucy will be brought up by their grandparents, Roy and Kath Ratcliffe, as their father does not live with them.

Mr Ratcliffe, of Gurney Benham Close, Shrub End, who is on incapacity benefit, said the family had been devastated by his daughter's loss.

The couple also have four other children of their own - and Ben, 15, and Claire, 17, still live at home.

By Louise Fuller

Reporter's e-mail: louise_fuller@thisisessex.co.uk

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