Moving tributes for 'fearless and unforgettable' Burnley mum of three who was one of town's best known figures

'Fearless and unforgettable.'

Those are just two of the words that Nikki Sawley's family have used to describe her after she died suddenly at the weekend at the age of 49.

News of Nikki's death has sent shockwaves across the town as she was such a huge character, known for her outlandish dress sense and effervescent personality.

Nikki was also at the heart of Burnley's 'gig family' which she created for people who loved going to music festivals and events.

Nikki's eldest daughter, Charlotte, who is 32, said: "Mum was the glue that held the gig family together.

"She started it after going to gigs on her own and seeing there were others there too on their own.

"It brought people together in a shared love of music and gave my mum the opportunity to visit many different venues watching her favourite ska and rock bands.

"And she would always take lots of photographs and videos at all the gigs. The bands who they followed regularly really appreciated all their support."

As an offshoot of the gig family Nikki also created the Tuesday Club for fellow music lovers to meet up weekly to talk about issues affecting them.

Charlotte said: "The motto of the club was 'what happens in Tuesday Club stays in Tuesday Club.' "

Nikki was also a regular figure at the Natter Shack and tea dance events organised by her friend Tracey Smith across Burnley, Pendle and the Ribble Valley. Held to bring people together, Nikki was the life and soul of the party who would chat to people and encourage them to take part.

People were drawn to Nikki as she was always smiling, laughing and full of energy.

A pupil at St John's RC Primary and the former St Hilda's RC High schools, Nikki had Charlotte when she 16 and for several years was a housewife. She went on to have two more daughters, Emily who is 27 and 25-year-old Annie.

Artistic and creative, Nikki taught art Calderstone's Hospital for several years before training to become a hairdresser at Nelson and Colne College. She worked for a number of years at Kellie Hughes salon in Whalley.

Charlotte said: "My mum was passionate about the arts, poetry and literature. Teaching art and being a hairdresser allowed her to express her creativity in so many ways.

"She was very intelligent and was also very analytical about life too and she was never afraid to express herself, whatever people thought of her.

"She wasn't afraid to be herself and she was there for her family and anyone who needed her."

Nikki posed as a life model in Whalley and was also very proud to be one of the thousands of people who posed naked, painted blue in the Sea of Hull exhibition in 2017. This was the work of artist Spencer Turnick and was commissioned by the Ferens Art Gallery to mark Hull's City of Culture status.

She was also one of the 240 people who volunteered to be a model for acclaimed sculptor and Angel of the North creator Antony Gormley's Domain Field exhibition.

For many years Nikki owned a car that was as distinctive and recognisable as her, a yellow Skoda Felicia Fun Box limited edition.

Charlotte said: "She had that car for years and loved it."

Nikki loved spending time with her daughters and was also a proud grandmother to Blossom-Darling (seven) Charlie-Branwell, who is four, three-year-old Teddy Blue and Loki Rai who is just five months old.

Charlotte said: "She loved having her grandchildren round and they called her 'Mimi' because she wanted something different from nana or grandma.

"We were that close to my mum that we will even miss the arguments, that's how deep it runs for our family

"She was our light, our darkness, our everything."

Nikki also leaves her parents, Ralph and Sarah Sawley, a sister Lisa who lives in New Zealand, her brother Keiron and nieces and nephews.

A fundraising page has been set up by Nikki's family to help with funeral costs and so far £1,830 has already been donated towards the £3,000 target. If you would like to donate please click HERE