A 32-year-old council manager has died after falling from a balcony.

Brighton and Hove City Council income services manager Jessica Ingarfield, known as Jess, plunged to her death on Monday.

Police were initially called to reports a woman “collapsed” in Grange Close, off Preston Grove, and subsequently established what had happened.

Paramedics and police were called but she was declared dead at the scene.

Yesterday her manager Lynn Yule said: “Jessica was a highly valued and much-loved colleague.

“We are devastated by this news, and our deepest sympathies go out to her family and friends.”

A Facebook memorial page has been set up for Miss Ingarfield.

One friend, Danny Hill, said: “Jess you joined that big rave in the sky way, way, way too soon.”

Another pal, Ellie O’Neill, said: “Hilariously funny and a genuinely lovely girl.

“[She] clearly brought sunshine and lots of laughter to so many. Thoughts are with her family and her girlies.”

Alice Winter said: “You were always smiling.”

Nicky Hedges said she was: “Pretty, intelligent, naturally good at sport and the life and soul of the party.”

Hayley Standen added: “Aparty wasn’t a party without Jess. [A] hilarious girl with a beautiful smile. A scream to be around and I remember prettymuch curling with laughter at her antics.

“RIP Jess, there’s a lot of love around for you girl.”

Barbie-Jo Murray said: “Jess was a truly rare find who brought sunshine to people’s lives.

“Jess bought humour to sad situations and enhanced happy ones even more.

“She created memories for so many to cherish and it is no surprise that she is loved and will be missed by so many.”

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “On Monday at 8:05pm police and ambulance were called to reports of a woman collapsed in Grange Close, Brighton.

“The woman had fallen from a balcony of the flats in the location and unfortunately was confirmed deceased at the scene.

“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death and the incident has been referred to HM Coroner.

“The woman has been identified as Jessica Ingarfield, 32, of Preston Grange, Jessica Ingarfield Brighton.”