TRIBUTES have been paid to an 18-year-old girl who collapsed and died during an evening out with friends at a Kent nightclub.

Josephine Harris, of Shakespeare Terrace, Folkestone, died in hospital after being taken ill at ikon nightclub in Maidstone.

Police say they are satisfied that there are no suspicious circumstances but tests are still being carried out to ascertain the exact cause of death.

Josephine was in the first year of a motor-vehicle course at South Kent College's Dover campus. Staff at the college described the teenager as "lovely and a real go-getter".

Anna Hornsey, who acts as a mentor for the six girls who study mechanics at the college, said: “I always used to say to her, when you’ve got your all-girls garage, I’ll be coming to you."

Mark Hadfield, deputy head of school for ICT and engineering, who has known Miss Harris’s family for many years, said it had been a devastating time.

He added: “Jo was the only girl in her class and tended to boss the boys around which was good for them. She was a leader and a really nice, down-to-earth girl. She will be sadly missed.”

The teenager's family and friends have visited the nightclub to lay flowers. One of the messages, attached to a large bouquet of pink flowers and a balloon saying “I love you,” read: “In loving memory of a dear daughter. I miss you so much every minute, every hour, all day. You are always with me. Mum xxx.”

Another said: “In loving memory of a dear sister, thinking of you all the time every day. All my love, Leo xxx.”

The nightclub was packed with revellers when the tragedy happened in the early hours of Saturday, April 8.

Julian Holyoake, general manager at ikon, said a member of staff spoke to Josephine seconds before she collapsed. “One of the doorman was called over to her and a split second later she collapsed,” he added. “Two staff tried to resuscitate her before the ambulance arrived.

Mr Holyoake praised staff for their professionalism in dealing with the traumatic situation and thanked customers for their patience. “Our heart goes out to the family,” he added.

Josephine's boyfriend, banger racer and mechanics student Ryan Fisher, was said by friends to be heartbroken .