TRIBUTES have been paid to a 20-year-old from York who died suddenly in Australia.

Vicky Atlay was a second year Media and Communications student at Swansea University but was originally from York, and had only been in the country a few days when she died on Wednesday.

Sophie Wiggins, 21, is the station manager at SUTV, the university's television channel, where Vicky worked as a camera assistant and said she and her colleagues were devastated by the news.

Sophie said: "She was so excited to go to Australia. I only said goodbye to her on Saturday.

"Vicky was lovely and kind and enthusiastic and caring. She loved life and couldn't help you enough. She was always involved with the university and involved in the newspaper and wanted to go into the media, it's so sad."

Miss Atlay was a former student at Easingwold School and was travelling to Australia for a study year. The Foreign Office are understood to be supporting Miss Atlay's family at this time.

A statement posted on the SUTV Facebook page on Thursday said: "We would like to give our condolences to one of our enthusiastic members who passed away.

"Vicky Atlay was a huge asset to SUTV she helped out with a variety of events such as Oktoberfest, strictly come dancing and our short film what once was. Our thoughts are with her friends and family."

Friends of Miss Atlay took to social media to pay tribute to her, with one tweeting: "My heart is aching.

"Uni will never be the same, miss you forever."

A spokeswoman for Swansea University said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Victoria Atlay. Our thoughts are with Victoria’s family at this time and we extend our deepest condolences at their tragic loss."