TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘lovely and courageous’ 16-year-old who has died.

Police were called at 10.15am on Wednesday after the body of Runshaw College student Suzie Strong was found in woods close to Astley Road in Chorley.

Staff and students at Parklands High School which she attended until this summer were shocked to hear the news of the death of their former student.

Suzie started at the school in 2013 and she completed her GCSE exams in summer 2018, gaining nine GCSEs at grades 5 and above. School chiefs say her most outstanding achievement was in art, where she obtained the highest grade possible – grade 9.

Headteacher Steve Mitchell said: “The whole school community is deeply saddened to have lost Suzie, who was a lovely, courageous and resilient girl.

“Her determination to succeed in her exams stood out all year, and we were so pleased to celebrate with her on results day in August.”

“This tragic loss will be felt by everyone in the Parklands community, and our deepest and heartfelt sympathy goes to her family at this painful time.

“We are all the better for having known Suzie and she will have a lasting effect on us all.”

A spokesman for Runshaw College in Leyland said: “We are devastated. Suzie was in the first year of her A-level studies at Runshaw. Suzie was a very talented student, and she was very well liked by her teachers and classmates.

“She will be greatly missed and our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to Suzie’s friends and family.

“Our college counsellors are supporting students and staff at this desperately sad time.”