A 15-year-old girl died in a “tragic accident” while playing with her friends in the River Severn.

Dyfed-Powys Police said a body was recovered from the river on Friday following a multi-agency search.

They later confirmed that the teenager was Holli Smallman from Welshpool.

The river, the longest in Britain, is 220 miles long and flows through several counties on the EnglandWales Border.

Holli was a Year 10 student at Welshpool High School.

Councillor Alison Davies is a member of Welshpool City Council and also a school councillor at Welshpool High School.

She told Sky News she was “incredibly sorry” to Hollis’ family and friends.

“It’s just terrible for the family, the friends and the wider community,” she said.

“A group of young people were playing in the river and swimming as they have done for generations and then a tragic accident occurred which took the life of a girl and had a terrible impact on the lives of so many other people, their family and their friends.”

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Holli would have started 11th grade in September.

“Of course these young people will go back to school and that will resonate for some time,” added Councillor Davies.

“Fortunately, the school is a very supportive, friendly and strong school and I think that will help the young people a lot. And the community will support the family as they need it.”

Hollis’ family is being supported by special forces and police said their condolences were with them.