Friends and teachers were today coming to terms with the death of two teenage girls who plummeted 120ft to their death from a Southend tower block.

Lisa Utton, 18, left Cecil Jones school, in Eastern Avenue, Southend, two years ago and 16-year-old Danielle Waddington was a former student of Mayflower School, in Stock Road, Billericay.

Teachers of both schools were shocked by the news and the loss of young lives but acknowledged both girls were troubled students.

Bob Hellen, head teacher of Cecil Jones, said: "Lisa was a lively and bubbly girl and she had really good qualities. She had a bright future in front of her and was extremely good at working with young children - in which she was planning a career.

"She was also in foster care and had an extremely good relationship with her carers.

"I wouldn't say that she wasn't challenging. She had a very low self-esteem and lived a troubled life - but it is still a desperate and sad piece of news. What leads a young person with their whole life in front of them to do this?"

Lisa's two brothers, 13 and 15-years-old, have not been present at the school since the tragedy and a memorial assembly will be held next week.

Published Tuesday November 18, 2003

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