A FORMER head girl, described as an exceptional student, has died.

Tributes have poured in for Charlotte Seddon, 17, who was head girl at Shuttleworth College in Padiham.

She lived in Balliol Close, Padiham, with her twin sister Abby and parents Stephen and Corrine.

The star pupil gained one A*, eight As and a B in her GCSE exam results last year.

She was the top performing girl at the school in the year and her achievements earned her the student of the year trophy.

Bob Wakefield, headteacher at Shuttleworth College, said: “Charlotte was a student who excelled at all aspects of college life.

“Highly regarded by both students and staff Charlotte fulfilled her role as head girl with commitment, dedication and professionalism.

“Her GCSE achievements were exceptional and earned her the award for the best female GCSE performance.

“As a result of that and her overall contribution to the life of the college she was awarded the student of the year trophy, our ultimate accolade.”

Scores of Charlotte’s friends have posted tributes to her on a special memorial group set on Facebook.

Alice Rose said: “I know you will be shouting at us all for being upset and down, so I am going to wear a massive smile to show how happy you lived your life, even after all the pain you were going through.

“You were an amazing girl that everybody loved. It's not fair that you had to go, that we are not going to see your smile again.”

Another friend Tyler Kenyon said: “It doesn’t seem real at all, happy memories will be cherished forever. It is such a shock to everyone, you will be missed by so many sweetheart.”

Laurence Ingram, the member of the youth parliament for Pendle, said: “I would just like to send my condolences to family and friends of Charlotte.

“I did not get the privilege to meet her personally, but from what I have heard she was a great person to know.”

Coun Jean Cunningham, who is a close friend of the family and on the board of governors at Shuttleworth College, said: “She was such a clever girl, she was an outstanding student.

“As mayor of Padiham last year I went to the awards evening and she swept the board. Her arms weren’t long enough to carry out all the trophies she won.

“She was also such a nice girl. She was so friendly and caring.

"That awards night she couldn’t stop smiling and laughing, but she took everything in her stride but was never big headed about it. She was very humble.”