"This world will never be the same without you. You will never be forgotten."

This is one of the touching tributes to stabbing victim Paul Gilligan from his devastated family and close friends.

Mr Gilligan, aged 31, died from stab wounds after a night out in Bolton turned to tragedy for the "beautiful and caring family man".

He was knifed twice at the Pepper Alley pub in Crown Street, Bolton, in the early hours of Sunday while on a night out with friends.

Police released a picture of Mr Gilligan - reproduced on our front page - as the murder inquiry went into its third day, and as shocked family and friends struggled to come to terms with his death.

Mr Gilligan's parents, two brothers, partner Louise and their children released a joint statement paying tribute to him.

It said: "Paul was a beautiful person both inside and out. He was a devoted and fantastic father to Jemaine, Rio and his special daughter - Macie-Moo - and a caring family man.

"He was a loyal, loving partner and soul mate to Louise and will be very sadly missed."

Mr Gilligan, of Thirlmere Drive, Little Hulton, was described by friends as the life and soul of the party.

In their tribute, his brothers, Craig and Darren, said: "To our kid, we'll miss you pal. You were our best mate. Love you loads."

Yesterday, the area around Pepper Alley was still cordoned off, with police guarding the scene as Mr Gilligan's family and friends called to pay their respects and leave tributes. The policeman leading the investigation has appealed to anyone who was in the area at the time of the stabbing, around 12.50am, to come forward.

Police are also examining CCTV footage from around the area.

Mr Gilligan, known as Gilly to his friends, died in the Royal Bolton Hospital after being stabbed twice, once in the chest and once in the shoulder.

Mr Gilligan, whose partner Louise has recently given birth to their daughter Macie, was well known in gyms in Bolton.

Carl Fisher, aged 37, who runs the Combat Base in Bridgeman Place, had known Mr Gilligan for nine years. He said: "Everyone at the club is gutted. We just can't fathom it. He was such a top guy - a loving family man. He will be so missed.

"He was a good mate and a good laugh. He enjoyed boxing but even though he was a big lad, I never saw him throw his weight around."

Mr Fisher, who also works as a doorman in the town centre, said he believed society as a whole was becoming more violent.

"As a doorman, I see so much mindless violence. I can't understand what's going on in society. I think it's getting absolutely out of control."

The killing was one of five stabbing incidents in Bolton in just 48 hours, and it has led to fresh calls to tackle the nationwide knife crime epidemic.

Police believe Mr Gilligan may have been involved in an argument before his death.

A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and remained in police custody for questioning last night. The teenager was arrested shortly after the stabbing in a nearby licensed premises in the Bradshawgate area.

Yesterday, Bank Street was reopened after being closed for all of Sunday. Crown Street, which runs parallel, was closed near the junction with Deansgate until the early evening.

Police have confirmed they have not yet found the murder weapon.

Supt Dave Flitcroft, from Bolton Police, said the murder was not linked to any of the weekend's other stabbings. He added: "We want to locate and interview every witness we can identify over Mr Gilligan's death.

"That includes everyone who was in Pepper Alley and everyone who may have been in and around the area at the time. Even the smallest piece of information can be critical in these cases."

He said the town was in shock but he believed most people recognised that the weekend's violence was "unprecedented".

He said: "While the national headlines are suggesting the problem is led by youths, that does not seem to be the experience in Bolton.

"This weekend was not about young people but about adults and it is linked to alcohol and possibly other criminal behaviour."

Anyone with any information about the stabbing of Mr Gilligan is asked to contact police on 0161 856 5740 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.