The inquest into the tragic death of seven-year-old Emily Jones has been opened.

Emily was stabbed in a random attack while visiting Queen's Park in Bolton with her family on Mother's Day.

She was taken to Salford Royal Hospital, where her death was tragically confirmed at 3.56 pm on Sunday 22nd March.

An inquest into her death opened at Bolton Coroner's Court yesterday and was adjourned until Friday 3rd July.

A post mortem revealed that she died as a result of an incised wound of the neck.

A 30-year-old woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and assessed by specialist medical staff. She has been detained under the Mental Health Act and remains in a highly secure facility.

(Image: STEVE ALLEN)

Markland Hill Primary School pupil, Emily, was described as "beautiful inside and out" and the light of her parents' lives.

In a tribute, they said: “Emily was 7-years-old, our only child and the light of our lives.

“She was always full of joy, love and laughter.

“Emily had such a cheeky smile and was beautiful inside and out. She had a heart as big as her smile.

“Emily was never happier than when she was spending time with her family and friends, she was our own little social butterfly.

“Emily had a passion for the outdoors and loved to play any sport, even when she was wearing her pink sparkly dresses!

“We are beyond devastated that this random act of violence means that we will never get to see our beautiful little girl grow up into the wonderful young lady she was showing such promise of becoming.

“It is truly heart breaking to wake up to a world without Emily in it and we cannot comprehend why this has happened.

“We would like to thank the members of the public that assisted us in the park and express our gratitude to the emergency services for doing their upmost to save Emily’s life.

“Thank you to everyone for their kind messages of support and for continuing to respect our privacy at this difficult time.”

Teachers and staff at Emily's primary school have also paid tribute to her, with a virtual book of condolences being set up on the website.

A joint statement by the teachers, who worked closest with Emily, said: "Emily was fun, friendly and a loving little girl. She was creative and loved to draw and write stories.

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"Emily was keen to do her work and would joke that she had finished before the others had even written the date.

"She was popular amongst her peers and was friends with everyone.

"Her smile was infectious and it lit up the room. Emily was bubbly, sociable and a joy to be around: she was a ray of sunshine.

"What I remember about Emily is her smile, it was as big as she was, and she lit up a room. She has been tragically taken from us but she will never be forgotten."