TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of a young mother from a North-East village.

Emergency services were called to No Place, near Stanley, County Durham, after a 25-year-old, named locally as Jenny Maddison, was found unconscious on Wednesday.

The mother-of-one was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham from a house in John Street in a critical condition and placed on a life support machine, but died on Thursday.

Four people have been arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs and inquiries are ongoing.

The Northern Echo:

Miss Maddison was taken to hospital after she was found at a house in John Street

Alex Ayton, 26, said: “She was one of the best girls I have ever known. She was kind and would always listen to you.

“She would always make you laugh. She would always be the life and soul of anywhere she went. She was always there for her friends and family.

“We used to go on nights out and did everything together. She was like a sister.”

The Northern Echo:

Alex Ayton, left, with Jenny Maddison 

Miss Ayton, a support worker, met Miss Maddison at college nine years ago and lives around the corner, on Gladstone Street. 

Miss Maddison had a young son and her death has rocked the tight knit community.

Miss Ayton said: “It has ripped people apart. She was well known and well liked everywhere she went. Everyone knew her. It has torn people to pieces.” 

Rebecca Wilson, 24, from South Stanley, said Miss Maddison was like of her family.

She said: “She was a really good friend. She was a very kind lass. It is sad to see her go. A lot of people have been very hurt by it. I really loved the lass.”

Natalie Dixon, 23, said the news had not yet sunk in.

She said: “She was an absolute amazing girl and always up for a laugh. We got on so well, always laughing. We always had a right laugh and stomp about at the raves which we both loved. 

“It still doesn’t seem real that I’m not going talk to her again or see her, but she will always be in our hearts. She is going to be a massive miss. Gone too soon but never forgotten. I will treasure the memories.”

Neighbours have said Miss Maddison was found in a yard at the rear of John Street.

Police, alerted by paramedics, launched an investigation just before 1pm on Wednesday and have arrested three men and one woman.

A police spokeswoman said: “The investigation is still at an early stage and a post mortem examination is being carried out this afternoon (Friday, May 27).

“We would like to re-appeal for information from the local community, anyone wishing to speak to an officer should call 101 and ask for Consett CID.”