A GRIEVING family has paid tribute to their ‘princess’ who touched the hearts of everyone she knew.

Relatives of Tarina Christina Walmsley, who has died from a rare illness, said the 19-year-old was bubbly and full of life.

She died in hospital surrounded by her family and fiancé Charlie Burge. Tarina’s funeral will be held today.

Charlie, 20, who lived opposite Tarina in Bayard Road, Littlemoor, Weymouth, said: “I promised Tarina I would be there to the end and told her I would never let go of her hand.

“She has been torn away from me and from everyone else.”

Charlie and Tarina had been together for almost three years and were due to get married on April 13, 2013 which would have been her 21st birthday.

The former Bincombe Valley Primary School, Beaminster School and Weymouth College pupil died in hospital after battling interstitial lung disease.

“Tarina brought so much happiness and laughter to us all. She was constantly singing and dancing, you always knew when she was at home, now it’s all gone,” said her mum, Terri Reed.

Tarina lived in Bayard Road, Littlemoor, with her mum and brothers, Brett, 21, Joshua, 11, and Hakan, five.

She had been studying painting and decorating at Poole College before she fell ill last year.

“She loved children and was involved with loads of community groups – all of Littlemoor will miss her,” added Terri.

“Family was really important to her and she loved her brothers so much, she was such a good sister to them.”

Bincombe Valley Primary School has named a star in memory of its former pupil and tribute Facebook pages have hundreds of followers.

Dad Carl Walmsley, who works at Condor Ferries, said: “It’s been really tough for months and months and I have to thank my company for all the time I’ve taken off to visit Tarina in hospital.

“We were all with her at the end and she had her family around her but it’s a horrible thing because it sticks in your mind.”

Carl, who lives in Hereford Road with his partner Sophie Mevel, added: “Tarina had the best doctors in the world – they did everything they could. We really can’t thank them enough.”

Tarina had been in and out of hospital since July 2011 and in November last year she was put in a medically induced coma.

She died at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London, after the decision was made to switch off her life support machine.

“We didn’t want to give Tarina a normal coffin, it’s going to be bright pink with ‘Our Princess’ written down the side and her name on the top,” said Terri.

The family said they wanted to thank everyone in the community for their support following Tarina’s death.

The funeral will be held at St Francis of Assisi Church, Littlemoor at 1.45pm today followed by a committal at Weymouth Crematorium.

Interstitial lung disease

Interstitial lung disease is a group of lung disorders that cause scarring of the lung tissue, making it difficult to get enough oxygen into the body.

It affects the tissue and space around the air sacs of the lungs.

This often leads to breathing difficulties which can be brought on by simple activities such as walking and talking.

The condition is rare and affects fewer than 10 in 10,000 people in the UK.

It is a long-term condition and there is no known cure.