THE funeral of a Cwmbran schoolgirl, who died suddenly last week, leaving a community in shock, will take place today at St Gabriel’s Church in Old Cwmbran at 1pm.

Popular 17-year-old Amber Tainton, from Coed Eva, Cwmbran, died suddenly at her home on Tuesday, September 4.

She had been due to start back at Llantarnam High School’s sixth form the next day.

Head teacher David Bright said: “She was a delightful student and an absolute pleasure to have in the school. We’re very shocked and very sad and we’ve extended our sympathies to the family.” He said Amber was a very hard-working pupil and would have had her results from her AS-level exams last month.

Mr Bright added: “It’s a very difficult time. The students would have come back excited to see their friends and full of promise for the new year. All of them will have been shocked, but some of them will have been much more affected.”

Mr Bright said counselling was available in the school for students.

Gwent Police said they were called to an address in Coed Eva at 9.08am on Tuesday relating to the death of a 17- year-old girl. A spokeswoman said they were not treating the death as suspicious.

Gwent coroner officer Howard Salmon said a postmortem examination had been completed, but that further tests were required to establish the cause of death.

Amber leaves behind her beloved parents, Rosemarie and Chris, and siblings Courtney and Elliott.

Some 665 people have now joined the group ‘RIP Amber Tainton’ on Facebook.

Hundreds of messages have been written on the page. One girl wrote: “You touched so many lives from the people that knew you. I’m glad I had the privilege of spending six fantastic years with you. We have so many memories.”

Another wrote: “RIP Amber. You’re going to be missed by so many people.

Every time I saw you around school you always had the biggest smile on your face.”

A third wrote: “My thoughts are with Amber’s family tonight. Can’t even begin to imagine what they’re going through. She was such a sweet loving girl and a real honour and a privilege to have known her.”