THE mother of a girl who apparently hanged herself in her bedroom on Christmas Day has spoken of her grief.

The body of Georgina Phelan, 12, was discovered in her room at around 10pm, after the youngster had spent the day with her parents and brother at the family home in Scarborough Parade, Lukes Lane, Hebburn, South Tyneside.

Her mother, Debbie Phelan, who found her body, said yesterday: "Tragically, on Christmas Day, my daughter Georgie was taken from us. "She was my princess. She was the most loving daughter anyone could have wished for. Her family will always cherish her."

Police have said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death, but are investigating what sparked the tragedy and said they will be examining whether Georgina was suffering any problems at school.

An inquest into Georgina's death is set to be opened at South Tyneside Coroner's Court later this week.