The mum of a 12-year-old girl who died at Bournemouth beach last week has described her as a 'beautiful girl' who was 'so well loved and well liked'. 

Sunnah Khan from High Wycombe died on Wednesday, May 31 following an incident in the water near Bournemouth Pier.

Stephanie Williams took to Twitter to pay tribute to her 12-year-old daughter, writing: "On Wednesday I lost my beautiful daughter at Bournemouth beach.

"Sunnah was so well loved and well liked. No parent should ever have to go through what her dad and I are going through.

"We love you so much baby girl." 

Stephanie told The Sun newspaper that the police have not yet told her what caused the death of her daughter.

"It's just really difficult to accept. Someone has potentially caused Sunnah to be taken away from us.

"The police have only told us what they said in a statement. The cause of death was drowning but there were no other injuries. We don't actually know how it came about."

A family friend described Sunnah as "an absolute force of nature, liked by all and loved by so many".

Speaking to the Daily Mail, they added: "There are no words to describe the hole she has left in all of our hearts but we will remember her everyday for the rest of our lives." 

Sunnah died alongside 17-year-old Joe Abbess from Southampton, who has been described by his family as a "fabulous young man" with a bright future as a trainee chef ahead of him.

Eight other people were also rescued from the water on Bournemouth Pier with non-life-threatening injuries.

A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the incident but has since been released under investigation. 

Dorset Police has said they are aware of "significant speculation" concerning a pleasure boat which was in the vicinity of Bournemouth Pier at the time of the incident.

However the force has said they remain "open minded" about the cause of the deaths and are looking into circumstances including weather and wind conditions as their inquiries continue. 

According to the PA News Agency, an inquest into both deaths in anticipated to be opened today (May 5) subject to confirmation by HM Coroner.