11:01am UK, Monday November 10, 2008

Amy Leigh Barnes was stabbed to death at her home

Amy Leigh Barnes died in hospital after police had been called to her home in Farnworth.

A 21-year-old man was arrested 100 miles from the scene of the killing and is being questioned on suspicion of murder.

Amy's family said they were "absolutely distraught and destroyed more than words can say".

"Words cannot express the pain we are in. We loved our baby so much, she was our reason for living," a statement said.

"She was the most beautiful princess. We will not rest until justice has been done for our gorgeous daughter.

"Amy was a very special person and much loved by all her family and friends, of which she had many."

Amy Leigh: 'A beautiful princess'

The 19-year-old had worked on modelling assignments for Nuts, Playboy and Cosmopolitan.

She was a finalist in the Miss British Isles modelling competition in 2007 and in last year's Model of the Year competition.

Amy also appeared on the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks and dated Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy. 

Players on her social networking websites include Fraizer Campbell, of Tottenham Hotspur, Phil Jagielka, of Everton, and Leroy Lita, of Norwich City.

A number of players have posted website tributes to her on Facebook, including Ishmael Miller of West Bromwich Albion and Paul Black of Oldham.

One friend said: "Amy Leigh was the life and soul of the party and she will be deeply missed. She was very popular and loved going out night after night.

"She knew loads of footballers and went on dates with them. Although she knew lots of people, she never let it go to her head. 

"It is a tragedy that her life has been so cruelly cut short."