THE grieving family of a schoolgirl found hanged on Christmas Day have urged their daughter's friends not to put their lives on hold.

The parents of 15-year-old Amy Gilbert, of Cecil Avenue, Sheerness, say the teenager would have wanted them to continue with their hobbies and lives, despite her death.

Her mother June, 48, said: "She will never be forgotten but everybody has got to move forward and try to pick up the pieces. We will remember her as the friendly, bubbly, outgoing girl that she was."

Amy's father Terry, 47, said: "We can't imagine how many people she has touched. She certainly hasn't wasted any of her almost 16 years."

Days before she died Amy had been accepted on a performing arts course at Canterbury College.

Amy was a student at Highsted Grammar School at Sittingbourne. Head teacher, Jennifer Payne, said: "Amy made a full and active contribution to the life of the school through sport and swimming as well as academically and she will be greatly missed by staff and students alike."