FRIENDS of schoolgirl Michaela Curtis remembered the 14-year-old in their prayers when they return to Truro School for the first day of term.

Tributes have been paid to the "wonderful" teenager, known to her friends as Mickie, who died suddenly following an epileptic fit at her home in Trehaverne Terrace last Wednesday.

The headteacher of the school, Paul Smith, said that special prayers will be said for Michaela, a promising athlete, when it holds its first assembly tomorrow.

"She was a very lovely student who was involved in a lot of things," said Mr Smith. "She did sport and drama and was well liked by her peers.

"Her family has been absolutely devastated by what has happened. Her sudden death is very sad."

Michaela represented Cornwall schools at hockey and badminton and was county under 15 shot putt champion.

She was diagnosed with epilepsy just 18 months ago and was on medication which seemed to be working well. But she died two days before her father Ivan was due to take up a new post as a hotel manager in Norwich.

Paying tribute to his daughter this week, Mr Curtis told the Packet: "She was very wonderful daughter who was full of joy."

After suffering the fit she was looked after by her sister Kate, a former Truro School pupil herself, and her brother Ollie, who also attends the school, until help arrived.

She was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, but all attempts to save her failed.

Before her death she had worked as a washer at the Heron Inn, Malpas.

Michaela had previously lived with her family on the isle of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly where she will be buried following her funeral service at 3pm today at Kenwyn parish church.