Tributes have been paid to an "exceptionally talented" schoolgirl who the BBC understands died in a tourist boat accident in the Dominican Republic.

According to a fundraising page set up to support her family, Abbie Lainton, 16, from Swindon, Wiltshire, died on 30 July.

Millie Fannin, director of Swindon Lightning Cheerleading Club where Abbie attended and coached also said the teenager was "effortlessly beautiful" and "made the world a more beautiful place when she was in it".

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said its thoughts were with the family. Both the FCDO and the BBC has made contact with the local authorities in the Dominican Republic.

The BBC understands members of Abbie's family were also badly injured in the accident.

Fannin said Abbie, who was awaiting her GCSE results, was a "fun loving, enthusiastic, and kind-hearted individual" who everyone "adored instantly".

"She was definitely one of the most popular young people I've ever met. She made everyone around her also feel beautiful and worthy of her time and her energy...it was impossible not to love her," she added.

Abbie was also a former pupil at Tanwood School for Performing Arts, a youth musical theatre group.

As a cheerleader, Abbie competed all over the world and won multiple trophies.

"She was always in the top-scoring teams...she joined us out at the All Star World Championship where they secured a bronze medal so she made history in her own way there," Fannin said.

Abbie was main coach to a team of 24 girls who, Fannin said, "absolutely idolised her".

"When she had to have abdominal surgery to have her appendix out I literally had to tell her athletes not to run and hug her around her tummy...that was the reaction every time Abbie entered the gym - those girls loved her so, so much," she added.

Fannin continued: "I know our life will never be the same now - we will all be as strong as we can be and do all we can to keep her spirit here very much alive."

"I just say thank you to her for making me a better person in the time I got to know her and for making the world a more beautiful place," she added.

An FCDO spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the Lainton family during this difficult time.

"We are providing consular support to the family and assisting other British nationals and their families affected by the incident.

"We are in contact with the local authorities," they added.

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