Tributes have been paid to a schoolgirl who died suddenly last week aged just 18.

Aashi Sinha, 18, from Gidea Park died at Queen’s Hospital in Rom Valley Way, Romford on Wednesday May 8.

An inquest into her death opened and adjourned on Monday and no cause of death will be formally announced until the full inquest later this year.

Friends have set up a Facebook tribute page for Aashi, who was a student at Forest School in Snaresbrook, who was described as a vivacious and outgoing teenager.

At the request of her family, donations are being taken for Cardiac Risk in the Young, which raises awareness of heart conditions that cause sudden death.

More than £600 has been raised so far towards the charity’s work helping bereaved families and researching cardiac failure and ways to prevent it.

In a message with her donation on Just Giving, Anna Feldman wrote: “What an amazing, intelligent, young lady you were Aashi.

“Your smile was infectious and touched the lives of so many.”

Following news of her death, many school friends expressed their grief on Twitter.

@shanihenriques wrote: “RIP Aashi Sinha, it was truly a privilege to have known you.

“A beautiful person inside and out. Love you.”

@jothikaj13 wrote: “RIP Aashi, a beautiful and intelligent girl who would light up any room she walked into.

“So cruel that she’s been taken from us.”

A two-minute silence was held at the school on the day after her death and there was a remembrance service to coincide with her funeral

today.

Friends made speeches and gave readings to pay tribute to Aashi.

A Forest School spokesman said: “We are in close contact with the pupil’s family and we are helping them in any way we can as they deal with this devastating news – our hearts go out to the pupil’s family and friends.”