FRIENDS have paid tribute to a 17-year-old college student who died on Tuesday.

Katie Douglas, of Aylesbury Walk, Burnley, was taken ill at the weekend and died in the Royal Blackburn Hospital just three days after her 17th birthday.

The former pupil at Edge End High School, Nelson, was studying hair and beauty at Nelson and Colne College.

Her cousin Laura has set up a page in memory of the teenager on the social networking website Bebo, while friends will hold a collection at her former school next week, to pay for a floral tribute to Katie.

Her family - mum Yvette Howarth, of Aylesbury Walk, dad Jason Douglas, of Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, five sisters and step-brother - said Katie was a loving, caring and popular girl.

An inquest into her death was opened and adjourned on Friday morning at Burnley Magistrates' Court.

A post-mortem examination proved inconclusive and further histology and toxicology tests have been ordered.

Messages left on the Bebo site included:

  • Katie.D....this gal is amazin nd cnt believe shes gone....lv ya loads sexy lady - Jemma Samuels
  • That Smile That Big Massive Grin That Wer Permanatly On Your Face. Dont Think Any One Will Forget That. Always Smilen Was Katie.
  • evry 1 missin u loads n loads , u was always da life of da party n they nt gunna b the same wthout u x i cnt believe u gon, ull neva b 4gotten, missin u loads already . shaun x x
  • You will never be forgotten you will be truly missed by every one R.I.PGod bless you. xxx Morgan W