AN INQUEST was opened today into the death of a teenager whose body was washed up on the seashore in Kent.

Louise Bennett, 16, of Cradlebridge Drive, Willesborough, Ashford, was last seen swimming towards Folkestone harbour on Thursday last week and reported missing that afternoon.

RAF and Coastguard rescue helicopters could be heard overhead as they joined the large search party which also included lifeboats from Dover, Littlestone and Dungeness and a boat from the Hythe Army ranges as well as a team of police officers and paramedics.

The search was finally called off at 6.30pm. Hours later, just after 10pm, the teenager’s body was washed up on the seashore by the Rotunda Amusement Park.

An empty bottle of alcohol was found on the beach by her sandals.

This week her family were desperately trying to come to terms with their loss. Her father, Richard Bennett, said: “We can’t think straight at the moment and need to get our heads together.”

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S KENTISH EXPRESS