HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a "beautiful" and "hardworking" Billericay schoolgirl after her tragic death.

Parents, staff and pupils have expressed their shock and grief as Maci Behn, a Year 10 student at Mayflower High School, has died following a short illness.

Paying tribute to the 15-year-old, headteacher Damian Lee described her as a polite and hardworking student who was a pleasure to teach.

He said: “All the staff, parents, governors and students from Mayflower High School are shocked and immensely saddened to hear of the tragic death of our Year 10 student, Maci Behn following a short illness.  She will be greatly missed by all. We wish to extend our thoughts and condolences to all of her family and friends at this saddest of times.

“Maci was an incredibly hardworking student who was thought of highly by both students and staff. She was a polite, conscientious student who was a pleasure to teach. She had a close group of friends, who thought the world of her. Many of her friends have grown up with her since primary school.“

The school is planning to work with Maci's close friends and family to celebrate her life with a tribute in school when the time is right.

"We are supporting all of our students and staff as we try to come to terms with this sad loss," Mr Lee continued.

"We are a strong and close community and will ensure that everybody is given the necessary help. We have trained professionals on site who are supporting our students and staff. In order to do this, we would ask that you respect the privacy of the family and school community at this time."

Family friend Thurloe Hodgson has now launched a fundraiser for Maci's devastated family to create a memorial garden for their "wonderful" daughter and younger sister.

She said: "The family have politely asked that if anyone wanted to send flowers, would they consider donating to this page instead. This is so that at a later date, when they are ready, they can create a memorial garden for their beautiful Maci. They can purchase a bench, tree, flowers and shrubs.

"Our thoughts are with Belle, the boys, Matt and Jason and the rest of the family."

To donate to the fundraiser, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Maci.