POLICE are investigating the death of a 15-year-old star student. They suspect it is drugs-related.

Catherine Longstaff, from Chatsworth Avenue, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, died in hospital on Saturday.

Catherine was renowned for being a conscientious teenager and bright pupil at King James I Community College, and hoped one day to train as a doctor.

She also raised money for a youth action group she formed with two friends - Bishop Auckland Bumble Bees - after deciding she wanted to help tidy up part of the town.

The group transformed the Butterwick Hospice garden, chosen because one of Catherine's relatives had died of cancer, and won a national award.

Catherine also regularly attended Bishop Auckland Pentecostal Church until ten months ago and was a member of the church youth club.

Pastor Jim Briton had known Catherine since she was a baby.

He said: "She was a bubbly character, full of life and very pleasant.

"She was well-liked amongst the folks here. She was a pretty girl. When she applied herself to her studies, she was brilliant.

"It is a tragedy this has happened because they are a nice family. It has hit the family and the kids in the church hard. On Sunday some of the young folks here were almost inconsolable."

He said Catherine, whose older brother David had just finished university, would be greatly missed by the congregation. She would regularly bring elderly members to the church.

Mr Briton said: "It just seems such a waste of life that had terrific potential."

Last night, Catherine's parents, Ralph and Olwen, were devastated at the loss and too upset to talk.

An inquest into her death, which a police spokesman at Durham confirmed was suspected of being drug-related, is due to open at Bishop Auckland Magistrates Court today.