Family and friends of a young woman whose body was found at a Weymouth coastal spot have described her as a "bubbly person" who was "so loved."

Mercedes Harrison, 21, from Weymouth, was found by a member of the public in the Nothe Gardens on the morning of March 28.

Police attended after receiving a call about a concern for her welfare, but she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death, police confirmed.

It has come as a "complete shock" to those that knew Mercedes, who said "no one saw this coming."

Now, people are rallying together to organise a fundraiser in Mercedes' memory which will take place at the Aura nightspot on the seafront on Monday, April 23.

Deanna Avis, Mercedes’ cousin, said: “We’re hosting the fundraiser in order to help my family with funeral costs as obviously this wasn’t expected at all.

“Mercedes was very much loved by many people. I’ve never seen someone so loved, she had so many friends and so I’m hoping this fundraiser will be a success and will honour her as she was a party girl and loved to be out socialising.

"Anyone is invited and there will be charity boxes for people to donate anything they want in order to help us."

Mercedes previously attended Royal Manor Arts College with Deanna on Portland, and worked in Weymouth as a manager at The Bourneville Hotel on the seafront.

A GoFundMe appeal has also been set up by close friend Keely Hills on behalf of Mercedes' grandparents, to help raise money towards her funeral.

Donations have already flooded in to the fund, with the total amount raised reaching £1,980 in two weeks. Friends are hoping to raise a total of £3,000 for Mercedes' family.

On the page, Keely wrote: "Mercedes was such a character and touched a lot of people’s hearts.

"She managed to put smiles on people’s faces when they were down, helped people through their struggles, and was such a bubbly person that everybody adored. Any donations will be greatly appreciated no matter how little or large."

Messages of condolence have also been left by contributors on the page. One donor said: "To the beautiful Mercedes, such a fun loving girl, will be greatly missed."

Another said: "So sorry for your loss."

Visit gofundme.com/fundraising-for-mercedes to donate.