British woman Emma Lovell killed in Australia during break-in

Christina Lofthouse said her best friend Emma Lovell (middle) was the "most amazing person" and her husband Lee (right) was devastated by her loss

A British woman has been stabbed to death during a break-in at her home in Australia.

Emma Lovell, 41, originally from Hasketon, Suffolk, died after confronting intruders at her home in North Lakes, Brisbane, on Boxing Day night, police said.

Her husband Lee Lovell, 43, who was also stabbed, described his wife as the "glue to our family".

Two boys, aged 17, have been charged with murder.

Mr Lovell, whose injuries were non-life threatening, told reporters his family was "devastated".

The fatal stabbing took place at the Lovells' home near Brisbane

"Emma was the glue to our family," he said. "She was such a beautiful person. We're all just devastated from her loss.

"It's senseless. I don't know what people do it for."

Mr Lovell, originally from Ipswich, shared photographs on social media of the family, including their two daughters, at a nearby Sunshine Coast beach on Christmas Day.

Christina Lofthouse said Mrs Lovell always put others before herself

Christina Lofthouse, who has been friends with the couple for 30 years, said: "She was just the most amazing person.

"She was selfless, protective of her children, she doted on her children, mine, her nieces and nephews. They were her world.

"She was the most amazing friend, mother and wife."

Mrs Lovell "could light up a room" and "always put others before herself", said Ms Lofthouse.

'She was everything'

She has been friends with Mrs Lovell since they were aged 11 and introduced her to her husband when she was 19.

Mrs Lovell grew up in Hasketon and moved to Ipswich with her husband after they got married, Ms Lofthouse said.

Christina Lofthouse had been friends with Mrs Lovell since they were aged 11

She said: "She is more than just a friend, she was everything. She's more like family at that point. You pick your friends. We picked each other.

"She was there for me every single day, even from 10,000 miles away, on the phone, messaging me. We've been through it all together."

Christina Lofthouse said she had always remained in constant contact with Mrs Lovell

Ms Lofthouse said she had yet to come to terms with what had happened.

She said: "Lee was also stabbed as well. He didn't know [Emma had died] until later.

"I don't know how any of us are meant to enjoy Christmas ever again. My children are also devastated."

People have left floral tributes outside the Lovells' Brisbane home

She last visited the couple, who moved from Ipswich to Australia in 2011, in October.

"I can't see the memories now, all I can see is my friend lying dead, lying there cold and broken," she said.

She said: "She was a hero to fight off those people, she was protecting her babies.

"They were in bed, they put the security camera on and could see two people in their house. How violated is that?"

Emma and Lee Lovell were stabbed during a break-in at their Brisbane home but Mrs Lovell did not survive

A fundraising page set up by the local community in North Lakes for the family has raised more than 50,000 Australian Dollars (£28,079).

In a statement, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) said an altercation took place inside an address in Whitfield Crescent at 23:30 UTC and "moved outside to the front yard".

"Two offenders fled on foot prior to police arrival," it said, and "investigators, with the assistance of the dog squad, located four teenagers at a nearby location just before 04:00" on 27 December.

Two 17-year-old boys, one from Holland Park and the other Zillmere, the QPS said, were charged with one count each of murder, attempted murder and entering a dwelling with intent in company.

Both have been denied police bail and were due to appear in the Brisbane Children's Court.

A 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy continue to assist police with inquiries, the force said.