THE father of a young swimmer who died in a house fire in Worcestershire has paid tribute to his "happy, smiling daughter"

Tazmin Pugh, 18, and her boyfriend Josh Kirk, 21, died in a fire at a house on the A44 in Cotheridge on October 28.

More than 400 people attended a thanksgiving service for Tazmin at Pershore Abbey

Tazmin's father, Ian, said the family had been overwhelmed by the outpouring of grief after her death.

"The reaction was utterly amazing – it brings tears to the family's eyes to know she was so well-loved."

He added Tazmin, from Pershore, would be remembered as a "happy smiling girl, who brought joy to so many others."

Tazmin was a talented swimmer who returned from the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa with six medals in 2015.

Following that victory, she enrolled in British Swimming’s world-class programme on podium potential level before setting a new British Junior Record in the 100 Fly in December that year.

Mr Pugh, of Pershore, said she stopped swimming after a wrist injury forced her to use her legs more which led to an ankle injury.

He said: "She never really recovered and gave up swimming in August 2017."

Mr Pugh added Tazmin was modest about her success and many of friends did not even know she swam.

A sports fund in Tazmin's memory the Tamzin Pugh Fund has raised about  £4,000 with a promise that the money would be ring-fenced to ensure it goes to young swimmers.

Tazmin was a former pupil at Bowbrook House School, Abbey Park Middle School and Pershore High School.

Mr Kirk, 21, was a former pupil of Chantry High School in Martley and lived in Worcester.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service concluded last month that the fatal fire was accidental after an extension cable overheated.

The couple were in the house on the A44 between Cotheridge and Broadwas, near Worcester, but could not be saved despite 30 firefighters and officers being sent to fight the fire.