Stabbing victim was 'gentle' man

Mr Berkley's family said his legacy would live on in the family business

A man found stabbed to death behind a house in west Lancashire was a "gentle and hardworking" man, his family said.

The body of Peter Berkley, 43, from Ormskirk, was found by a resident in Skelmersdale on Saturday.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Mr Berkley's family said: "The shining golden light of our lives has been tragically taken from us."

Michal Kalinowski, 21, of Skelmersdale, has been charged with murder and has been remanded in custody.

'Eternal gratitude'

In their statement, released through Lancashire Police, Mr Berkley's family said they would miss him "in ways they could not describe".

"He was a gentle, genuine and hardworking man who was devoted to his loving family and the love of his life, Mandy," they said.

"Peter will always be remembered by his family with love, and with eternal gratitude for his love for all of them.

"Peter was well known for the caring help and support that he offered to people of all kinds, through his work in the family business.

"His legacy will be that his help and care for those who society generally forgets, will continue."