Tributes have poured in for schoolgirl Michelle Condon who died in a road accident in Great Clacton.

The 15-year-old, who had two younger brothers, lived in Totlands Drive, Great Clacton, and went to Clacton County High School.

Michelle died after she was involved in a collision with a car in Thorpe Road. She had been shopping with two friends and was walking towards Woodlands Close when the accident happened.

John Clay, headmaster of Michelle's school, said: "We would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to the family.

"She was always a very hard-working, quietly popular girl. She was always polite and always co-operative."

Michelle had started her GCSE studies and Mr Clay said she had started to produce some of her best ever work.

He added: "The staff are totally shocked and it will be a sad gap left in the life of everyone."

A small service will be held in memory of Michelle on Tuesday when pupils return from their holidays.

Michelle had been at the school for three years and previously attended Burrsville Junior School.

PC Pete Bareham, of Thorpe traffic police, said inquiries were continuing but so far no new witnesses had come forward.

He said the family was "absolutely distraught" at the tragedy. Michelle suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Colchester General Hospital, but was pronounced dead soon after arrival.

A post-mortem examination was due to take place on New Year's Eve.

One car - a Renault Megane - was involved in the accident, which took place at the junction of Farmleigh Avenue in Thorpe Road. The driver was William Mitchell, 60, of Melbourne Road, Clacton.

Anyone who witnessed the accident should call Clacton police on 01255 221312.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.