The grieving family and friends of a former Hatch End High School pupil have paid tribute to the loveable teenager who was found dead at her university.

Sarah Hurley, 18, of Hermitage Way, Stanmore, is believed to have suffered from a suspected brain haemorrhage and died in her flat at The University of Northampton on Thursday last week.

The popular student was in her first term studying sociology and social care and hoped to one day become a social worker.

Her heartbroken older sister, Louise, told the Observer of the moment she heard the tragic news. She said: "My sister and I were both out and I noticed I had missed calls on my phone. It was the police telling me I had to go home. We were just numb.

"It is your worst nightmare. No parent should have to go through this. You never imagine something like this will happen to you.

"Sarah was the baby of the family and had so much to give."

Sarah lived with her mother, Alison, and father, Steve, along with her two sisters, Louise, 23, and Christine, 25 at their family home in Stanmore.

She had been a pupil at Weald First and Middle School before attending Hatch End High School and worked part-time in Clarks shoe shop in Bridge Street, Pinner.

The caring student also volunteered at Bentley Day Centre in Harrow Weald where she looked after adults with disabilities.

Louise said: "Sarah worked so hard to get into university and being there made Sarah the happiest she has ever been. In recent months she had turned into a confident young lady, blossoming with confidence and ambition.

"She was so caring and helpful, willing to help anybody out whatever they needed. She was always known for her friendly smile and was very sociable. She loved being surrounded by friends. She was so gifted and talented and had a very witty sense of humour."

Flowers and notes left by friends adorn her university bedroom door while sports teams at the institute have paid their respects by holding a minute's silence over the weekend.

Staff and pupils at Hatch End High School are also discussing ways to build a permanent memorial dedicated to Sarah possibly outside the Sixth Form common room.

Allan Jones, headteacher of the school, said: "Sarah was quiet but very pleasant, always honest and extremely polite. She was well-liked by both staff and her peers. Sarah gave generously of her time to voluntary work. She proved ideally suited to this type of work.

"She was a well-rounded and mature young woman who held the potential to be successful in higher education and her career beyond. We will greatly miss her."