A 15-year-old girl who died in a river had been playing with friends, it was announced at the opening of an inquest.

Holli Smallman, from Welshpool, Powys, was found following a search in the River Severn at 20:00 BST on Friday 9 August.

Her heartbroken family described Holli as a “loving and caring girl.”

They also warned of the dangers of swimming in open water and urged parents and children to be careful.

Her family paid tribute to Holli, who was a pupil at Welshpool High School and a member of the Welshpool Army Cadets.

“We are deeply heartbroken and would never want any other family to go through the pain we are going through,” they said.

A statement released by Dyfed-Powys Police said: “She had her whole life ahead of her and there will be a gap in our lives that will never heal and we will never forget what an incredible person Holli was.”

“She loved her family and she loved her friends and showed it every day.

“We are all overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and kindness we have received as a family and we thank you all for the messages and gestures you have sent us from everyone in the community. We have seen your messages which have meant so much to us.

“Our hearts and thoughts are also with the friends who were with Holli on that tragic day. We want to extend to them the support and compassion of the community during this unimaginable time, and we are thinking of them all.”

They said that “the dangers of water have been demonstrated in a way that no one can imagine” and urged the public to exercise extreme caution.

The Pontypridd Coroner’s Court was told that no date had yet been set for a full inquest.