THE devastated family of a schoolgirl who died suddenly at her Accrington home this week spoke of their heartbreak.

Heather Horsfield, 15, of Stanley Street, was found dead at the top of the stairs by her mum on Sunday morning - after twice visiting hospital and being told she was fit to go home.

The Rhyddings High School pupil had been feeling unwell for the past two weeks with stomach pains.

Mum Susan, 45, said: "Her doctor couldn't find anything wrong with her but by the end of last week I knew she was unwell as she was constantly being sick so her sister, Tina, took her to Blackburn Royal Infirmary on Friday morning.

"She was given an X-ray and an examination and they said she was fine to go home.

"Heather went back to the hospital on Saturday as she felt very cold, was being sick and had a purple rash on her body.

"But once again they let her come home, telling us to make sure she drank plenty of fluids and to take her back if she got worse."

On Sunday morning Susan heard water running and thought Heather had improved, but later, when she got up and the tap was still running, she immediately knew something was wrong.

Susan, a counter assistant at Asda, said: "We think she must have lay down at the top of the stairs exhausted, and that is where I found her. The ambulance crew was unable to revive her.

"She was a typical teenager, full of life and a real charmer. Heather had long blonde hair, big blue eyes and a lovely smile.

"She was very popular at school where she did well and liked cooking. She had a huge group of friends. She liked having her quiet moments to read and write and enjoyed her own company.

"But she could be a real party animal too and loved doing her make-up while listening to music, and going out with her friends."

Mr Trevor Ainsworth, assistant headteacher at Rhyddings, said: "I can't express how stunned we all were when the tragic news reached us.

"Heather was an extremely popular girl with her friends and staff, and she was a very good worker.

"We were looking forward to her achieving academic success when she sat her GCSEs at the end of this year, and she will be sorely missed by everybody at the school.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Heather's family at this sad time."

The clinical director of accident and emergency services at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, Tom George, said: "We can confirm Heather went through the A and E department. The East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust would like to express condolences to her family.

"Hospital staff were very shocked at her sudden death and we await the results of the post-mortem to ascertain the cause of death."

Tributes have flooded in for Heather, and her sisters, Tina, 25, and Catherine, 14, and brother Martin, 18, are heartbroken at her death.

Tina, an administrator at Express Gifts, Church, said: "We are all feeling numb and can't believe what has happened, it just doesn't feel real."

Heather's dad, Paul, 38, who lives and works in Coventry as a master technician, said: "She just got on with everybody and will be so sorely missed. She was a bit of a daddy's girl and loved life."