A NORTH-EAST community is reeling after a teenage girl became the fourth member of a family to die suddenly.

Talented gymnast Kelsey Jade Winter, 13, was found hanged in her bedroom in Marwood Drive, Barnard Castle, County Durham, on Sunday afternoon, while her pregnant mother and stepfather were cooking lunch downstairs.

Her heartbroken mother, Carolann Winter, 29, said the family - stepfather John, 30, and brothers James, eight, and Josh, aged two - were devastated by the tragedy.

She last saw Kesley Jade at 1.30pm and later heard her moving around upstairs. Mr Winter called her when the meal was ready at 2.15pm, but when he went upstairs to check he found her hanged in her bedroom.

He tried desperately to revive the girl while her mother called an ambulance for the 17-mile dash to Darlington Memorial Hospital, where Kelsey Jade was pronounced dead.

Mrs Winter, whose baby is due in seven weeks, said: "Kelsey Jade was a bubbly and well-liked girl who always looked forward to spending time with her friends. She was very sensitive too.

"My husband and I are both devastated by the discovery and are trying to come to terms with it all."

Kelsey Jade, a year seven pupil at Teesdale School, had stayed at an aunt's home in Evenwood on Friday night, and returned home on Saturday.

At Teesdale Sports Centre's gymnastics club, her efforts impressed coaches so much that they voted her the most improved gymnast of 2007, presenting her with a trophy. She also loved trampolining.

She attended a YMCA centre in Barnard Castle's Galgate, where she took part in a project exploring the town's past, interviewing residents for a 20-minute DVD called We The People.

Tracy Blandford, the branch's chief executive, said: "Kelsey was an active and lively member of the YMCA community who was always smiling and willing to get involved in activities. She will be missed by us all."

A spokesman for Durham Police confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances. An inquest is due to open today.

Last year, Mrs Winter's brother, Mark Maughan, a 30-year-old ambulance technician, who also lived in Barnard Castle, was killed in Staindrop, driving to work at Newton Aycliffe ambulance station.

In 1998, Mr Maughan's five-week-old daughter, who was Kelsey Jade's cousin, was a victim of cot death.

And in 1996, Mrs Winter's other brother, Michael, died on the railway line in the Darlington area.