The family of a Shropshire mother who drowned in the sea at Blackpool say they are still desperate to find out how the tragedy happened.

Lorraine Murphy, of Woodside, Telford, died in the early hours of April 18 while on a weekend break to the Lancashire resort with her boyfriend.

After an hour-long search by lifeboats and a rescue helicopter, the 29-year-old’s body was found at 2.45am in the water near Blackpool Tower.

It is not clear how she got in trouble and sister Tracy, of Woodside, said her family want answers.

They are waiting for an inquest to take place, but a date has not yet been fixed.

Tracy, 27, said: “Our mum and dad, Linda and Barry, are meant to be grieving but they are still angry.

“We are still trying to put the puzzle together.”

She said she and Lorraine knew the dangers of water because they grew up in London where their father ran a pleasure boat business.

Tracy also paid tribute to her sister, who had previously worked as a solicitors’ clerk in London.

She said Lorraine was a brilliant mother to four-year-old Jessica, and aunt to Benn and Charlie, both nine, Daniele, three, and four-year-olds Brooke, Cameron and Oliver.

“She was great with the kids, she got on to their level,” said Tracy. “She saw them all the time and they had everything from her.”

And she had been an open and happy sister, Tracy said.

She said everyone was finding it difficult to cope, particularly Jessica, who is living with father Richard O’Shea in London.

But the family – her parents, brothers Barry, Gary and Daniel, and Mr O’Shea – were all close and supporting each other, she said.

Mr O’Shea said: “Her smile was brightest for our daughter Jessica, to whom Lorraine was best friend as well as mummy. They alw-ays had fun, but Lorraine also took being a parent seriously, intent Jessica would grow with as much sense of what’s good and right.”

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said Lorraine’s death was not being treated as suspicious.

Blackpool coroner’s office confirmed a date for the inquest had yet to be fixed while evidence is gathered.

By Dave West