TRIBUTES have been paid to three people who died at a property in Failsworth over the Christmas period.

Police were called to a property on Oldham Road on Monday evening after being altered to a distressing situation by paramedics.

The three people pronounced dead at the scene were named as James Acton, 41, Zoe Hamilton, 28, and Andrew Smith, 39.

Police say the deaths are not suspicious and are not looking to speak to anyone in connection with them and have worked with other bodies to ensure there is no wider threat to the public.

The Oldham Times: Zoe Hamilton

Zoe Hamilton

Officers maintained a presence at the property, which is attached to the Brown Cow pub near the junction with Old Road, during the week and forensic teams have tried to establish the circumstances.

It is understood Zoe Hamilton and James Acton were in a relationship and had invited Andrew Smith to stay with them over Christmas after discovering he was sleeping rough in Failsworth.

Elisha Hughes, a family friend of Zoe’s, was among those to pay tribute.

She said: “Zoe was one of a kind, she had a pure heart of gold and would do anything to help anyone, it’s a very sad loss and she will be missed dearly by many.

“She is always in our hearts forever and always a beautiful girl.”

Daniel Cooney, a relative of Zoe’s, also posted: “Thinking of all my family at this sad time, rest in peace to my cousin Zoe.”

Janine Brannick also revealed James Acton was the father to her children.

In a post she said: “Today is going to be the hardest thing I would have to do in my life I have to tell my baby girl her dad is dead.”

She added: “James Acton is a good father to my kids.”

Katie Acton, James’s sister, also paid tribute to him.

In a post she said: “My brother is not a statistic or someone to read about in the newspaper.

“This is my brother James. A dad, a brother, a son, a friend.”

Detective Chief Inspector James Faulkner, of GMP’s Oldham division, offered his condolences to the family.

He said: “My thoughts firstly are with the families of the two men and the woman who tragically have lost their lives - we are offering support to them at this awful time.

“It is important that we are able to establish the circumstances around this tragedy and get the answers for their loved ones through a thorough and comprehensive investigation, and therefore we must keep an open-mind at this very early stage until we have the results of forensic examinations in due course.”

He added: “If anyone has any information they think could be linked to this investigation then I encourage them to speak to police or Crimestoppers as it could prove to be significant.”