The devastated family of a mother-of-two who died from a sudden heart attack at the age of 36 today paid tribute to her "live life to the full" personality.

Julie Taylor, pictured, died at the home in Evelyn Avenue, Thornbury, Bradford, she shared with her partner Mick Firth and her two children Gemma, aged 17, and Natalie, 13.

She had just started working at a Bradford nursing home after various jobs as a barmaid in the city.

Her sister Gillian Taylor, one of seven of Miss Taylor's brothers and sisters, said her death was a shock as she exercised regularly and was rarely ill.

"Julie was a very bubbly and outgoing character," said Miss Taylor, of Maple Avenue, Thornbury. "She really did live life to the full. She was always smiling and her death has come as a deep shock to everyone."

It is the second tragedy for the family this year. Miss Taylor's one-month-old daughter Jodie-Leigh was a cot death victim in March.

"Julie idolised Jodie-Leigh," she said. "She was the first person to hold her when she was born. Now they will be closer together."

Mum Sheila Taylor, 68, said her daughter was a real "happy go lucky" character and regularly organised nights out with her friends including a weekly trip to a bingo hall.

Miss Taylor said her sister had an extremely generous nature.

"Only the other week a little lad on the street said he didn't have enough money to pay for an ice cream so Julie gave him a pound," she said.

"That was the kind of person she was."

Dr Chris Morley, a consultant cardiologist at Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "For a female in her 30s to die from a heart attack is very rare.

"Women lag behind men in terms of heart problems until the age of the menopause."

Dr Morley added that high cholesterol levels, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and a history of coronary problems in the family are among factors which can increase the chances of someone suffering from heart disease.

Julie leaves brothers Joseph, Allan and Keith and sisters Christine, Linda, Gillian and Wendy.

A funeral service will be held at St Margaret's parish church in Thornbury tomorrow, at 2pm, followed by a cremation at Scholemoor cemetery.

Flowers can be sent to the private chapel of funeral directors Joseph A Hey and Son Limited, 470 Great Horton Road, Bradford 7.