THIS IS the first picture of the tragic Newport mum-of-three found dead in a burnt-out car last month.

Today her devastated family have broken their silence to pay tribute to "a loving, friendly and kind-hearted" woman.

Speaking for the first time since Mussarat Nazir's body was found in Duffryn, her family say they are still coming to terms with her death.

The 38-year-old from Cromwell Road was found in a car in a private lane leading from Lighthouse Road to New Dairy Farm on December 19.

Her brother, Ishan Ulhaq, of Llanwern Street, Maindee, told the Argus Mussarat, or "Nunny", as she was known, was loved by many friends, as well as her family.

He said: "She was the type of person that if she saw you in the street she would always beep and wave or offer you a lift. She was a very sociable person, always friendly, often helping women with their shopping.

"She loved to cook and was always making things for other people."

The former Llanwern steelworks secretary and social security worker had three children, Khalis, four, Amirah, three, and Khalim, two, who are now being cared for by family members.

Mr Ulhaq said: "They miss her but they don't really understand what has happened, they are just too young."

Her husband, Jason Reynolds, told the Argus the weeks since his wife's death had been difficult.

He said: "She was a great wife and mother, loving, friendly and kind-hearted, she loved her kids.

"She was always putting other people before herself.

"She didn't like to see people suffer, if she could do anything, then she would - if someone didn't have anywhere to stay she would take them in.

"We all miss her."

Mr Ulhaq added: "We would like to thank everyone for their support and kind words since Mussarat's death - they are in our thoughts and our prayers."

Newport man Mohammed Arshad, 38, of Morris Street, Maindee, has been charged with Ms Nazir's murder.