THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised in memory of an “amazing” and "beautiful” 16-year-old schoolgirl who is thought to have taken her own life.

Tributes have been paid to Harriet Nicol, who was found unresponsive at her Billericay home last Sunday.

She was rushed to Basildon Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Devastated friends have set up an online fundraising page to support a suicide awareness charity. At the time the Echo went to print the Go Fund Me page had already raised £7,640. Friends set a target of £10,000.

It comes as an inquest into her death was opened at Chelmsford Coroner’s Court on Friday.

Coroner Eleanor McGann read out the post-mortem results and confirmed her body can be released.

She told the inquest: “Harriet was taken to Basildon Hospital where she was pronounced dead.”

The coroner is currently waiting for toxicology reports to come back. The inquest has been adjourned until Thursday, June 29 at 10am.

Touching tributes have poured in for Harriet, who was a pupil at St Martin’s School, in Brentwood. She also went to Billericay’s Fusion Performer Dance and Drama School.

Charlie Dell, from Wickford, who launched the fundraising campaign, said: “I have set up the page in loving memory of Harriet Nicol who tragically took her own life.

“I wasn’t the closest friend to Harriet but I knew her well enough to realise what an amazing person she was. I set up the fundraiser on behalf of everyone who knew and loved Harriet.

“Any donations would be greatly appreciated as I am donating all the money to a teenage suicide awareness charity.”

Danielle Allum wrote: “Fly high gorgeous. You will forever be in our hearts, such a tragic loss of a beautiful girl.

“My thoughts are with her family and close friends.”

Ellen Hardie added: “Harriet made such a huge impact on me and will be missed dearly, sleep tight we all love you.”

On Tuesday, friends gathered to pay their respects by releasing hundreds of balloons in Lake Meadows Park, Billericay.