A VICE girl discovered battered to death on a Bolton car park was 14 weeks pregnant, it was revealed today.

The 21-year-old was found with severe head injuries by a fellow prostitute.

Murder squad detectives believe the victim was killed where she was found, in a car park behind Bolton Community College off Lower Bridgeman Street.

Police have not officially released the identity of the woman who is thought to be originally from Liverpool but had lived in Bolton for the last two years.

The mother of the woman is believed to be away on holiday unaware of the tragedy.

The woman's body was discovered about 5.40am on Saturday.

A vice girl visiting the scene of the attack told the Bolton Evening News that the murdered woman was one of her best friends and had recently told her that she was 14 weeks pregnant.

Clearly distressed as she viewed the spot where her friend was killed the woman described the victim as "lovely."

The woman said: "She wouldn't hurt a fly. I don't understand why it had to be her. She was not the type to rob someone.

"She didn't even dress like one of us. She would wear tracksuits and stuff. There aren't many I would stand and spend time with, but I would with her."

Tearfully she added: "I just hope they catch the killer because he's an animal."

News of the murder has spread fear among Bolton's vice girls but last night women were still offering sex for sale on the streets of the red light area insisting that the murder will not deter

them from plying their trade. One woman said: "We are desperate for money. I am frightened and shocked. I don't think it has sunk in yet."

A man, who described himself as a friend of the murder victim, also visited the murder scene yesterday to lay a bunch of flowers in her memory.

He said: "She was a human being and no one deserves what happened to her."

A card accompanying the flowers, from the man who signed himself Trev, read: "Sleep safe in the arms of Jesus in a place where you won't be judged or persecuted for what you are or do.

"You will always be loved and missed by the people who really knew you as a loving, caring person and a dear friend."

Detectives probing the murder today appealed for help from prostitutes and their punters.

They are trying to retrace the movements and speak to anyone who saw the dead woman in the hours leading up to her murder, or anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the car park where her body was discovered.

A post mortem examination was carried out at the weekend but the exact cause of death proved inconclusive and further tests are still being carried out.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Bolton CID on 0161 856 5640.