TRIBUTES have been paid to a new mum who died a month after giving birth.

Popular police officer Becci Dadswell died suddenly, aged just 35, having given birth to daughter Bella four weeks before.

Her family have spoken of their heartbreak and of how excited Becci was at becoming a mother.

Becci started suffering from acute pains on January 5. She died two-and-a-half hours later at Whiston Hospital near Liverpool. It is not yet known what caused her death.

A memorial service for her will take place at Romsey Abbey at noon today (Friday).

Becci, from Romsey, studied nursing at university in Southampton and worked at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport after moving to Cheshire.

She joined Cheshire Police in 2007 and married husband Simon, also a police officer, in 2013.

Mum and dad Alan and Denise Butler said they were grateful to have spent three weeks with Bella and Becci and husband Simon.

Alan said: “You could see the love between Becci and Bella. She would hold her in her arms and look at her as if she couldn’t believe she had given birth to her.

“We had a lovely family Christmas and New Year before it all went wrong.”

Mum Denise added: “She was so excited to be a mum, a loving, caring girl who called me every day.

“She loved dressing up, ever since she was little. I think she quite liked the police uniform because of that.”

Loved for having a warm, friendly personality and with many friends,her family said Becci’s beaming smile was enough to diffuse volatile situations when on duty.

“She would neutralise confrontation with her smile,” said Simon.

“If she was in a domestic situation where there was a fight she would talk them down with her personality and get them talking about it,” said Alan.

Becci was passionate about singing and attended several colleges to study music.

During her funeral at St Ambrose Church in Widnes on Thursday of last week songs recorded by Becci were played, including her version of Britney Spears’ Every Time.

Colleagues from Cheshire Police formed a guard of honour before the service and carried Becci’s coffin.

Brother Ben Butler, who is due to become a father himself, said the siblings had looked forward to parenthood together.

He paid tribute to Becci’s police colleagues, saying: “Cheshire Police were amazing. Most of the officers were crying, it was so touching, but that was Becci – she was kindness. She lived, and loved.”

l Becci’s family and friends have launched an appeal to help raise money for Bella’s future education. Donate at gogetfunding.com/ project/becci-dadswell.