A TEENAGER from Sopley has died from meningitis.

Lauren Downey, 19, was rushed to hospital after becoming unwell on Sunday, February 8. She developed septicaemia and died that night.

The bright teenager grew up in the village with her two younger siblings James, 15, and Olivia, 13. She had worked at The Woolpack Inn.

Lauren was in her second year at University College London (UCL) studying history, and hoped to pursue a career in journalism.

Her parents Paul and Helen described her as a “kind, thoughtful, generous and loving daughter” who would be missed by everyone who knew her.

Mr Downey said she was a brilliant student who achieved two A*s and an A in her A levels.

She loved music and reading, and going on family holidays to music festivals.

Professor Stephen Conway, head of history at UCL, said: “Lauren was a good and very promising student, who demonstrated her quality as a historian in the short time she was with us.

“We were all shocked and saddened by her death.

“She had many friends in the department, some of whom were able to join me at her funeral.”

Lauren practised kick-boxing as a teenager and had many friends in London and her home.

Her funeral was held at Christchurch Baptist Church.