Family members and friends of a teenager who died on holiday gathered to remember her in a city garden.

Mia Knight, 16, was walking out to sea in the Algarve in Portugal when it is believed she may have suffered a heart attack.

She was with her mother and stepfather at the time and was due to receive her GCSE results from Hove Park School the following day.

Yesterday her family and friends lit candles and released balloons in Pavilion Gardens, Brighton, in her memory.

Her uncle, Mark Paris, said: “I am awe struck at the strength of the young people who have helped organise this and I am proud of them. We hope we will have a chance to get to know them.

“Mia would have adored it, she would have loved what was happening.

“She was a true Brighton girl, our family have lived in Sussex for more than 960 years.”

A shrine of candles surrounded a photo of Mia in the gardens and her sisters had painted pebbles for her.

The family members who were in Portugal with her at the time of her death on Wednesday have now returned home.

A funeral will take place on September 10 in St Luke’s Church, St Luke’s Terrace, Brighton.

Everyone who knew and loved Mia is welcome to attend the service. The time is to be confirmed.

Leave your tributes to Mia and messages of support for her family below.