Rebecca Thorpe, known as Becky to her family and friends, had always dreamed of running a village pub.

When she became landlady of the Compasses Inn in 2009, she whisked best friend Steph Hall to Snettisham to show off the pub and told her it was her 'little baby'.

Her father, Peter, has also said she had seemed 'extremely happy about the prospect of running the pub'.

Just over a year later she was killed by her boyfriend and business partner Michael Tucker at the age of just 28.

Mr Thorpe has described his daughter as a private person who did not share her personal life with her family.

Mr Thorpe, along with his wife Jane and son Keith, paid tribute to Miss Thorpe after her body was found in a freezer on March 23 last year.

In a statement issued through police, her family said: 'Words alone can't describe the way we feel and we would like to thank our family and friends for their support at this very difficult time.

'We would also like to show our appreciation to all those people who have sent cards, letters and paid tribute to Becky many of whom we didn't know but who say their lives were enriched by knowing her.'

Miss Thorpe had attended Shouldham Primary School before moving to Downham Market High School where former headteacher Sarah Quantrill said Rebecca was a model pupil to teach at school

'She was quietly confident and had a great sense of fun. She was always a real team player and was loved and respected by both myself and all her team mates.'

Miss Thorpe represented both her schools in athletics and hockey for the high school. She went on to play hockey for the Denver ladies competing in games throughout Norfolk.

Miss Thorpe's first job was working as a Saturday girl at Timber's in Fincham where after starting as a kitchen assistant, she later trained and qualified as a chef.

She then took the position of head chef at The King's Arms in Shouldham.

A change in career in 2007 saw her train and later qualify as a dental nurse working in Downham Market.

But in 2009 she went back into the pub trade first at The Dray and Horses, Tottenhill, and then her first dream venture when she became the landlady of the The Compasses Inn a little over a year ago.

It was here that she discovered her passion for classic cars as a result of which she bought a 1975 MGB GT.