THE grieving family and friends of Dace Jankovica yesterday remembered her as their “Latvian Princess” who made everyone smile.

Brockenhurst College pupil Dace died suddenly on Saturday November 1, after she was taken ill at East Cliff Hotel in Hinton, where she worked. She was just 16 years old.

Around 150 relatives and friends packed into Bournemouth Crematorium to celebrate her life and share their memories.

The emotional service contained tributes from some of her many friends, who described Dace as a funny and kind girl, who was always smiling and was known for her distinctive laugh.

Dace was originally from Latvia but moved to England with her mother and two younger brothers and established strong friendships firstly at St Aldhelm's Academy and then at Highcliffe School and at Brockenhurst College.

She loved street dancing, cooking, listening to music and going for walks in the New Forest with her family.

She was described as a hard worker and a warm and loyal friend, who was always thinking of and showing concern for other people.

Conducting the service Daphne Seymour-Hammond said: “She wouldn't hear a bad word said about anyone and would stand up for people even when others were condemning them.

“She was very straight talking to everyone, whether you knew her or not, and was never two-faced.

“She was someone to be proud of.”

The cause of Dace's death is currently unknown and is being investigated by the coroner, although there are not believed to have been any suspicious circumstances.