A GRIEVING Greenock dance school teacher has paid tribute to an 'amazing pupil' who has tragically died aged just 14.

Cerys Reeve passed away at Inverclyde Royal Hospital on Monday after taking unwell at a house in Greenock.

Tributes have poured in from friends, family and fellow dance students for the much-loved St Stephen's High student, who was also a popular member of Lucy's Dance Academy.

Her teacher Lucy Robertson, 32, said everyone there has been left devastated by the heartbreaking news as she spoke of the 'bubbly and funny' schoolgirl.

She told the Tele: "Cerys was truly an amazing girl, so bubbly and always full of joy.

"She was one of those kids who held a group together and the others would always go to her with any issues or problems. They looked up to her.

"Cerys absolutely loved dancing and was brilliant at the disciplines she focused on.

"She was great friends with the senior girls and the younger kids all admired her. Even my own sons, Travis, eight, and Jaxx, four, looked upon her like a big sister.

"Everyone here loved her so much."

Cerys started at the dance school when it opened in 2018 and went on to win many trophies, competing in national competitions as a solo dancer and part of the studio's team.

Lucy told how her proud family - including mum Lynne, dad Alan and sister - supported her at every competition.

Lucy added: "They adored Cerys and were so supportive of everything she did.

"They'd come to every contest and her dad would do all the dance runs for us on competition days. He loved to watch her dance and was so proud of her.

"I know the family are absolutely devastated - I don't think any of us have come to terms with the news yet."

The dance school are hoping to honour the much-loved member in some way in the future and plan to also hang a star in the studio so she is always looking down on them.

Lucy hopes that the dancers will be able to come together again soon to remember Cerys.

She said: "Unless you're in dancing or have had experience with a competitive dance school, you won't realise just how close these kids get. They train five hours a day, five days per week, and are more like sisters.

"I'm was her coach but I spent more time with Cerys than my own two sons. She was almost like a daughter to me, as are all the girls.

"The girls haven't seen each other in months and now more than ever they need each other's support."

Floral tributes and messages have been left at the gates of Cerys' high school on Kilmacolm Road, while scores of friends posted their own memories of the popular teenager across social media.

Her former teacher at St Francis' Primary, Mrs McDonald, said: "Sending all of our love, prayers and strength to the family and friends of a former pupil.

"A beautiful girl inside and out. Shocked and saddened by this dreadful news."

The World Lyrical Dance Federation also said: "WLDF are devastated to hear the very sad news of the sudden passing of Cerys Reeve from Lucy’s Dance Academy in Scotland.

"Sending our thoughts and prayers to Cerys’s family, friends and her beloved dance family."

It is believed that friends of the teenager are planning a balloon release this Saturday at 2pm at Parklea to commemorate her life.

In a statement, police said: "Officers are currently investigating the sudden death of a 14-year-old girl who passed away at Inverclyde Royal Hospital on July 13 after becoming unwell at a property in Greenock earlier that day. The death is being treated as unexplained, pending further enquiries. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."