The family of a Workington woman who died in a fire on Monday have paid tribute to a mum, grandmother and wife who loved life. 

Diane Sloan, 45, of Christian Street, died when her caravan caught fire off Moor Road in Stainburn on Monday.

Her husband Nick, 43, said: "My whole life revolved around Diane. I'm crushed. She had a lust for life like no one I have ever met."

An accomplished horse rider, she was well respected in the equine world and owned three horses, goats and other animals. 

Mr Sloan called the police on Monday at around 8pm and reported her missing.

Firefighters were called to the fields off Moor Road, where a horsebox and caravan were ablaze on Monday at around 4.30am.

Mrs Sloan's family were told on Monday evening that a body had been discovered, after the police had attended the scene at Moor Road.

It is not known whether the fire brigade informed the police.

Mr Sloan, technical services manager at Iggesund Paperboard in Siddick, met his wife through social networking website Facebook and they began seeing each other in 2011. 

The pair married in 2013. 

Mr Sloan said: "She was a free spirit and enjoyed life to the full. We liked going on adventure holidays and had just returned from ski-ing with friends in Europe. We had so much more planned, because Diane loved to go out there and do things.

"She was gorgeous, fun and kind. I'll always love her." 

Mrs Sloan grew up in Workington and attended Newlands School in the town. 

Her family, the Bells, are well-known in Workington. 

Mr Sloan said: "She came from a large family who are so lovely and welcoming." 

She owned a taxi firm for several years, developed properties and was most recently working as a barmaid at Workington's Green Dragon Hotel. 

She was investigating starting a new business, selling goats milk soap, using her animals at the smallholding. 

Mr Sloan said: "That was what she was like. She was an entrepreneur and nothing would stop her developing new ideas." 

Mrs Sloan has a daughter, Ashleigh Louise and a granddaughter Sophie. 

She loved animals and her dog Dylan was with her when she died. 

Her friend, Stefanie Jansohn, of Workington, said: "Diane had a lifelong passion for horses and was a respected part of a larger community of like-minded people.

"She spent a lot of her time helping others enjoy horses as much as she did."

A police spokesman said: "Police are investigating the circumstances of Mrs Sloan's death.

"Her family are being supported by specially trained officers."