TRIBUTES TO FUN-LOVING LELAINA

Lelaina Hall, who is believed to be an only child, died after becoming stuck in mud flats in Somerset. A family spokesman said she would be missed "by everyone who knew her."

"She was a kind, caring fun-loving child who brought joy to everybody she met.

"No one could put into words how we are feeling at the moment."

The accident, on Sunday, June 23, came at the end of a three-day trip to Burnham-on-Sea, near Weston-super-Mare.

Ann and Tony Pritchard, who live opposite Lelaina's father, Jonathan, in Windsor Avenue, St John's, said the street was feeling the loss.

"It's so sad," said Mrs Pritchard.

"Her father idolised her. She was a sweet little thing.

"When the police came around on Sunday we heard terrible screaming - we knew it was something dreadful."

"We've lost a grandson to illness and we know what it's like to be torn inside. The whole street knew something had happened," added Mr Pritchard.

Oldbury Park pupil

"It was devastating to hear the screams. You could hear him shouting "she can't swim".

Mr and Mrs Hall separated soon after moving into the street and Lelaina would often stay overnight while her mother worked shifts at Evesham Community Hospital.

She was a pupil at Oldbury Park Primary School.

"We used to see her play around," said neighbour Jo Atkinson.

"My daughter is in the nursery at Oldbury Park and we used to see each other every now and then.

"It turns your stomach even though you don't know them that well."

Neighbours of Lelaina's mother, Caroline, who lives in Pitchcroft Lane, Barbourne, said the news had devastated them.

"My daughter rang me last night to say it was a little girl from Worcestershire, but to find out they lived a few doors away has knocked me for six," said a grandmother who didn't want to be named.

Classmates of Lelaina, whose hobbies were colouring, drawing, writing and playing football, were visibly upset.

"It makes you realise how precious they are," said one mother.