Huge crowds have gathered on a Kent beach to release balloons in memory of a mum and daughter who died in a tragic accident.

Family and friends of Leah Churchill, 50, and Brooke Wanstall, 17, came together on Herne Bay seafront to pay tribute to the pair, who were found dead in a burger hut yesterday morning.

Leah's son, Tyla, who made the harrowing discovery, was among those to release balloons close to the town's pier at about 5.10pm.

The 26-year-old fought back tears as he embraced those who had travelled to pay their respects to his mum and "beautiful baby sister", who are believed to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Speaking at the beach, Tyla said: "We're overwhelmed and blown away by the huge support and kindness we've been shown.

"Quite honestly, it's kept us going when we're all in a very dark place."

There were emotional scenes as music loved by the mum and daughter was played, with the crowd toasting Leah's life with her favourite drink, vodka.

Many of the balloons released were pink, with others shaped as the initials of Leah and Brooke's names.

Among the crowd were Leah's other two children, Ocean, 23, and 12-year-old Sonny.

Yesterday Tyla told how the family has been left devastated by the loss of his mum and sister.

Speaking to KentOnline, he said the pair had died while trying to make his birthday extra special.

"They were decking the van out inside in balloons and bunting as a birthday surprise for me, like my mum would do at home every year," he said.

"I didn't even know they were going down there last night but she must have started the petrol generator for power and to keep warm without realising the danger."

Tyla says the generator is used outside the van during working hours but kept inside overnight for security reasons.

He says he arrived at the wagon at about 8am to start work and was surprised to see his mum's car parked up outside.

"I opened the van door and and saw my mum and sister and for an instant thought they had fallen asleep," he recalled.

"I smelt fumes but it just didn't register straight away, but it became obvious they were both dead.

"I called the police and ambulance but it was the firefighters who told me it was likely carbon monoxide poisoning.

"It's heartbreaking to think they spent their last few moments just trying to put a smile on my face."

Leah lived in Wife of Bath Hill on the London Road Estate in Canterbury and was a mum of four, leaving behind another daughter, Ocean, 23, and son Sonny, 12.

"She was so kind and would do anything for anyone," said Tyla, who has just had a baby boy with his partner Beth.

"She would take a homeless man in off the streets if she was allowed. Brooke was just a live-wire with a huge personality.

"Mum worked all over the place, mostly in hospitality, and used to run the Share and Coulter pub in Greenhill.

"She was helping me in the burger van a couple of days a week."

Tyla says Brooke had just left Archbishop's School in Canterbury after completing her GCSEs.

"She had her whole life in front of her," he said.

"She did really well in her grades and had just started work as a carer, which she was really enjoying. She was also due to take her driving test next week."

Brooke's sister, Ocean, added: "She tried working in the van a couple of times but that definitely wasn't for her.

"Working as a carer was what put the spring in her step and the only thing she wanted to do."

Tyla, who also works as a drum and bass MC, says the whole family is reeling from the tragedy and still trying to come to terms with what has happened.

He has also issuing a warning about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

"Mum made a fatal mistake and we don't want this to happen to anyone else," he said.

"Be aware of this thing, people. If you haven’t got a carbon monoxide alarm go and get one. It is a serious killer.

"I don’t know how we're ever going to get over this."