A MAN has appeared in court charged with murdering a 20-year-old woman understood to be the mother of his two children.

Paul Withers, 21, of Davis Close, Bexhill, appeared via video link at Lewes Crown Court yesterday charged with murdering 20-year-old Lauren Masters.

He was arrested after the mother-of-two was stabbed to death at her home in Sutherland Avenue, Bexhill, on Friday evening.

Tributes have been left outside the home of the former Bexhill High student while friends are a raising funds to help her two young sons.

Since Saturday £1,565 has been donated via a gofundme.com page, exceeding the target of £500.

Crystal Hamilton told The Argus she and other close friends of Miss Masters set up the page to try and help the family of their "caring, sweet" friend.

She added: "We all have children either similar or the same ages [as hers] and being mothers ourselves we wanted to do this from all of us mothers to another.

"We all knew that if something like this happened to us that Lauren would be the first one to rally around and make sure our children were all ok, as that's the caring, sweet girl we all knew.

"We all hope that the money raised will help the boys now and in the future with their financial needs, as well as make this one less thing to worry about for Lauren's family through this difficult time."

Police said they were called to a disturbance at Miss Masters' home on Friday evening and said she died from a single stab wound.

One card among flowers laid in tribute outside her home remembered her “smile, laugh, loudness and humour,” adding: “Just you being you was loved and will always be missed."

It continued: “But we will always cherish the time and love spent together. I want you to know that your two gorgeous little boys are going to grow up and be so proud of their mummy. You’re amazing.”

Another read: “Rest in peace. It was never your time to be taken from us all. You will be truly missed and never forgotten by friends and family.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Mr Withers is due to next appear at crown court for a plea and case management hearing ion December 18.