THE family of a North Yorkshire teenager who died after taking ecstasy have paid tribute to "a thoughtful, beautiful girl, who was much loved".

Leah Heyes, 15, collapsed near a playground in Northallerton on Saturday night and died later that evening. North Yorkshire Police said the cause of her death was still to be determined, but she had taken MDMA, also known as ecstasy or a 'bomb', prior to her collapse.

Leah's mother Kerry Roberts said in a statement she was "heartbroken" by her daughter's death.

She said: "Leah was my best friend. She was a thoughtful, beautiful girl, who was much loved. She was fun, bubbly, and had a great sense of humour.

"I'm absolutely heartbroken to have lost my beautiful girl. No words can describe how much she will be missed and the enormous gap she has left in our lives. She will be truly missed more than words can say. I love you always."

Officers investigating Leah's death said on Tuesday there were about 20 people in the Applegarth park area when Leah became ill, some of whom they believed had mobile phone footage from the scene.

Detective Inspector Eamonn Clarke who is leading the investigation, said: "We know there are still people out there who have yet to come forward.

"Enquiries also reveal that there may be mobile phone video footage of the events of that tragic evening. This footage will be extremely helpful to our investigation and we are appealing to anyone who has footage on their phone, has been shown footage or knows of anyone who has such footage, to come forward."

Two people have been arrested in connection with Leah's death - a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man - on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. A police spokesman said both had been released under investigation, but officers "have not ruled out making more arrests".

Det Insp Clarke said Leah was "a young girl with her whole life ahead of her and everything to look forward to", and called on anyone who was in the Applegarth car park or playground on Saturday night to contact police.

He said: "A family has been devastated and a community left in shock. It is vital that people come forward and help us find the answers for Leah’s family and friends.

"Taking drugs appears to have become ‘the norm’ and more socially acceptable, but the fact is, it can have utterly tragic consequences and it needs to stop. This devastating case must be the catalyst for people in the community to stand up and help us put a stop put a stop to drug dealing."

Anyone with information which could help police should 101 and ask for Northallerton CID, or phone Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting reference 12190085105.