A MEMORIAL is set to take place to remember a 17-year-old girl who died of suspected mumps while on holiday in Spain.

County Durham teenager Molly Patterson, who was previously known as Molly Bower, died while on a family holiday in Majorca last week.

Today, a balloon release is being held in Molly's home village of Sherburn Hill, near Durham, to remember the popular teenager.

Her friends and family are planning to gather on Friday evening to release purple balloons – her favourite colour.

Her body was due to be returned to the UK on Thursday after the close-knit community helped to raise more than £10,000 to bring her home.

The Northern Echo:

Molly Patterson, 17, from Sherburn Hill

There have been collections in the local pub while Sherburn Village Primary School, where she was a former pupil, also raised money. Hundreds of others donated cash to help the family.

Molly died last Friday, after becoming ill at the start of last week.

A doctor, who visited her at the hotel she was staying at in Alcudia, indicated to the family that she was suffering from mumps.

The teenager, who was given the MMR vaccination as a child, was not taken to hospital.

The remaining funds raised by members of the community will be used for Molly's funeral.