Mother-of-five Mel Gray, 27, who was found murdered in a hostel fire, had been repeatedly stabbed before the blaze was started on Sunday.

A post mortem was carried out yesterday and police were expected to reveal the cause of death at a press conference at Horsham police station later today.

More floral tributes were laid outside the halfway house in Three Bridges Road, Crawley, yesterday.

One read "To Mel, lots of love, Mum and Pops". Another said: "Hi mum. Love you more than anything. Hope your (sic) happy wherever you are. Love you always, Sam."

A second said: "To our darlin' Mel. We may not have seen each other much but you were always in our thoughts and heart. Rest in peace, precious one. You deserve that."

Ms Gray was staying in a top-floor flat at the house. Firefighters found her body in a pool of blood as they tackled the flames.

Fifteen detectives and the same number of uniformed officers were working on the case, led by Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hibbert, of the Sussex Police major crime branch.

Forensic experts sifted through the burnt-out flat looking for clues.

It is believed Ms Gray had at least five children and worked at the Bay Trading Company clothing store in Crawley.

Mandy Martin, 32, of Broadfield, Crawley, who worked with Ms Gray, yesterday said: "I hadn't seen her since she started seeing her boyfriend. She was bubbly, loving and excellent in every way possible."

Ms Gray's flat, on one corner of the white and pink, three-storey building, was wrecked by the fire which started in the early hours. Other parts of the property were smoke-logged. The hostel is used by Crawley Borough Council to provide temporary housing for the homeless.

Up to 13 residents, including young children, were roused by a smoke alarm and led to safety at the nearby Moonraker pub.

Firefighters managed to contain the blaze to one room but two families were made homeless.

Anyone with information should contact the Operation Edenberry incident room on 0845 6070999.