Family's touching tribute to 'inspirational' grandma found dead in woodland off M56 after 'trying to get home'

The daughter of an 'inspirational' grandma tragically found dead in woodland beside the M56 has paid an emotional tribute to the 'heart and soul of the family'.

Lillian Ferguson, 71, a grandmother to 25 and mum-of-five, had been to visit one of her daughters in County Cork, Ireland, for Christmas, when she landed back in Manchester Airport on New Year's Eve.

But instead of getting the tram back home like usual, just a mile away in nearby Wythenshawe, Lillian ended up walking onto the M56 slip road at junction 5 and was caught on dashcam footage. Her family believe she became confused and got lost as she tried to make her way back home.

Try MEN Premium now with our amazing New Year offer... just click here to give it a try.

A missing persons investigation was launched, with officers from Greater Manchester Police issuing a public appeal to help trace Lillian, who had last been seen leaving the airport and walking in the direction of the motorway minutes after midnight.

Tragically, Lillian was then found dead in the early hours of Tuesday morning (January 2) by police searching for her, in a 'dangerous' wooded area beside the M56 slip road, near to Thorley Lane.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Lillian's daughter Suzanne, 40, also from Wythenshawe, said that the 71-year-old was an 'inspiration' and the 'heart and soul' of the family, and whose sudden loss would leave a 'huge void' in their lives.

Lillian, a single mother of five and a foster mum to her sister's children, had moved to Manchester from County Clare in the mid 1980s to start a new life. Despite just having 'the clothes on their backs', Suzanne said her mum worked hard to make sure the family were always provided for.

"She was a mother to everyone.