TRIBUTES have poured in for an "inspirational" 15-year-old girl who was killed when a car driven by a fellow 15-year-old girl collided with some trees.

TRIBUTES have poured in for an "inspirational" 15-year-old girl who was killed when a car driven by a fellow 15-year-old girl collided with some trees.

Camilla Hamilton, of Littley Green, near Braintree, died on Saturday night just outside Pebmarsh, near Halstead, after a car she was in was involved in the accident.

The Felsted School pupil was a passenger in a Mercedes ML 4x4 in Twinstead Road at 9.45pm when the crash happened.

Police say the car was being driven by another 15-year-old girl, who was arrested in connection with the incident but released on bail after questioning.

It is thought the car left the near-side of the road and then hit some trees. The youngsters were travelling in the general direction of Maplestead and the incident happened on a bend near Cripple Corner to the north of the village.

A star pupil at Felsted School, Camilla was an academic scholar who had gained entry to the independent school in 2001.

Acknowledged as a hockey player of huge talent representing Essex since under-13 level, she had only weeks ago been selected to play on a bigger stage with the East of England under-15's.

Last night , Stephen Roberts, headteacher at Felsted School, paid tribute to the "bright shining star" of Year 10.

He said: "Camilla was one of the most popular and most talented girls in her year group. She was an academic scholar and had everything to live for.

"She was extremely outgoing and always had friends around her. We are all utterly devastated here. "We have been in touch with the family and we are doing all we can to help them at this awful time."

She had played at Essex county level for two years and had been honoured with colours having led her team through to the national finals.

Her team manager at under-15 level, Alison Williams, last night said the team had lost their "inspirational" captain.

She said: "She was an outstanding captain with an amazing talent and all the right qualities. You could not meet a nicer girl.

"Everyone related to her and respected her – she was very calm, exactly what you wanted out of someone playing in the centre of defence.

"Off the pitch, she also mixed well. She was not loud, but she was very sociable and her parents were always supportive – delightful people."

Yesterday, dark clouds hung over the grieving village of Littley Green as friends and neighbours rallied round describing their shock at learning the tragic news.

The peace and tranquility of the village was broken only by the occasional van delivering flowers for the grieving family.

Family friend and neighbour, Rose Braisby, said: "She was a delightful young lady and this is an appalling tragedy for such a wonderful family."

Neighbour Margaret Salmon said: "I've been thinking of her and her poor parents all day. I lost a brother in a car accident; he was in his 30s, but for this to happen to a 15-year-old with her whole life ahead of her is just tragic."

The 15-year-old girl questioned by police will return from bail on July 23.

Anyone with any information about the crash is asked to call Bocking road policing unit on 01376 330722.