Leah Heyes: 'Heartbroken' mother pays tribute to 'best friend' after 15-year-old collapses in car park and dies 'after taking ecstasy'

'She was my best friend. No words can describe how much she will be missed'

Leah Heyes, left, with mother Kerry Roberts (North Yorkshire Police)

The mother of a 15-year-old girl who is thought to have died after taking ecstasy has said she is “absolutely heartbroken”.

Kerry Roberts called daughter Leah Heyes a "thoughtful, beautiful girl, who was much loved", and said the youngster was "fun, bubbly, and had a great sense of humour".

The teenager, from Northallerton, died after collapsing in a car park in the North Yorkshire town on Saturday night.

In a statement, Ms Roberts said: “Leah was my best friend.

"No words can describe how much she will be missed and the enormous gap she has left in our lives.

"She will be truly missed more than words can say. I love you always."

Two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, have been released under investigation after being arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs following Leah's death – the exact cause of which is still to be established.

North Yorkshire Police have said there may be mobile phone video footage of her collapse and are appealing for anyone with such images to come forward.

Detective Inspector Eamonn Clarke said: "This footage will be extremely helpful to our investigation and we are appealing to anyone who has footage on their phone, has been shown footage or knows of anyone who has such footage to come forward."

He added that there were about 20 people in the area of the Applegarth car park on Saturday night at 9.15pm when Leah collapsed – and some had not yet come forward.

He said: "A young girl with her whole life ahead of her and everything to look forward to has died, a family has been devastated and a community left in shock.

"It is vital that people come forward and help us find the answers for Leah's family and friends."

Police have previously warned anyone who had purchased ecstasy in the town recently to be cautious.