THE mother of an Oldham woman killed during an explosion at a shop in Leicester in February has paid tribute to her "beautiful daughter".

Viktorija Ljevleva, aged 22, was among five people killed when a blast ripped through a Polish supermarket and two-storey flat on February 25.

Originally from Latvia, Viktorija had been living in Oldham and was about to start a new job as an accountant in Coventry after studying at Norwich University, according to a crowd funding page set up to raise money for her funeral.

Ms Ljevleva's mother said: "There are very few children like my beautiful Viktorija. Friends were always jealous that I never had any problems with my little one.

"We shared a mutual understanding with one another. We miss her terribly."

Arkan Ali, aged 37, from Drake Close, Oldham, Hawkar Hassan, aged 32, of no fixed abode and Aram Kurd, 33, from Leicester deny charges of manslaughter and separate counts of arson being reckless as to endanger life and fraud by false representation.

They were remanded into custody after appearing at Leicester Crown Court today via video-link from HMP Woodhill until a further hearing on August 31 at the same court.