MORE tributes have been paid to a tragic teenager whose death started a drugs probe in a North-East town.

Student Catherine Long-staff was 15 when she was found apparently lifeless in bed by her mother, Olwen, at the family home in Chatsworth Avenue, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, last Saturday.

Mrs Longstaff was too distressed to attend the opening of an inquest into her daughter's death yesterday, where Catherine's 52-year-old father, Ralph, a plumber, gave brief details of her short life.

Consultant pathologist Dr Tony Senadhira, who conducted a post-mortem examination on Tuesday, asked for time to establish the cause of death.

South Durham Coroner Colin Penna, adjourning the hearing, told Mr Longstaff: "Words are inadequate in this situation."

Police said the family, which includes Catherine's brother, David, were devastated.

A funeral service is planned for Monday at the Assembly of God Church, in Bishop Auckland, where Catherine worshipped with her family until ten months ago.

A bright and popular pupil at the town's King James 1 Community College, she raised money for a youth action group she formed with two friends, winning a £1,000 award for transforming the garden at the town's Butterwick Hospice.

Sue Snowden, who was hospice manager at the time, said yesterday: "It came as a bitter shock to me to hear Catherine had died, and how she had died.

"She was a delightful and lively girl. We will always be grateful to her and her friends."

A neighbour of the family said: "For her to die like this is heartbreaking. They are a good, church-going family and they are struggling to come to terms with this."

Police are investigating Catherine's death which they have confirmed is suspected to have been drug-related.