Family and friends of tragic teenager Mara Nunes have set off hundreds of balloons on Deal beach in her memory.

More than 100 people gathered on the seafront on Sunday at 6pm to let off balloons with messages of love.

The event was organised by close friends Liana Phillips, Chloe White and Leah Samson, fellow pupils at Sandwich Technology School.

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Mara, 18, was killed when she was hit by a silver Vauxhall Astra on the A258, between Ringwould and Walmer on Saturday, January 10, at about 8.40pm.

On a Facebook page inviting people to the event, her friends wrote: “We thought it would be a lovely idea to bring a balloon and send our love and messages up to Mara herself.

“If you’d like to say goodbye to a beautiful person then bring a balloon and do just that.

“We’ve chosen the beach as it was her happy place and meant a lot to her.

“Hopefully all the people who cared, loved or even just knew Mara in passing can make it.”

Tracey Savage, head teacher at Sandwich Technology School said: “I am full of respect for how the students have coped with their grief at Mara’s loss.

“They have shown real maturity and have conducted themselves with great dignity in remembering their friend.”

Steve Doran and Susan Moore, family friends of Mara, made a video of the balloon event to pay their respects.

Video: Balloon release for Mara

Miss Moore, who lives in Cliffsend, explained her sister Christine Mountain had been Mara’s foster carer for the past five years.

They lived together in Pike Road, Tilmanstone, before Christine moved to France and Mara moved to Walmer five months ago.

She said: “She was a lovely girl, very loving but not very confident. She didn’t think she had any friends but she had lots and she didn’t realise it.

“She had so much ahead of her and so much going for her. She was very bright and very clever.

“Some of her friends gave a speech at the end of the event, saying she was liked and had a lot of friends who are all here for her now, and said they would miss her very much. It’s so sad.

“It’s been such a big shock.”

Mara’s funeral was held in Guernsey in the Channel Islands where members of her family live.