DEVASTATED family and friends have paid tribute to a "beautiful" and "bubbly" 25-year-old who died mysteriously in her sleep.

Sarah Ryland, who worked as a loss prevention officer at TK Maxx in the Regent Arcade, died earlier this month at her home in Lynworth.

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Friends have spoken of a kind, caring person, who loved her job and always put her family first.

One tribute has even been made by a persistent shoplifter Sarah collared three times.

Fiancé Gareth Evans, 34, who lived with Sarah, said: "She was a truly amazing person. She had this infectious laugh and you knew straightaway when she walked into a room.

"I am devastated by her loss. We had so much to look forward to. We were due to get married and wanted to start a family one day.

"But I'm grateful I had her for as long as I did. She was my best friend and I'll always be glad for the time we spent together."

Sarah was born in Cheltenham and attended Naunton Park primary school before completing her education at Prince Henry's High School in Evesham.

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Whilst still a teenager, she undertook a week's work with the police - an experience friends say sparked a passionate ambition to join the force one day.

Her natural instinct for law enforcement was confirmed when, in her first job at the Disney store in Cheltenham High Street, she apprehended a shoplifter.

Gareth, who has been with Sarah for more than six years, said: "She had a burning ambition to join the police and I'm sure she would have gone on to be brilliant at it.

"Since her death we have received so many messages from people whose lives she touched.

"We even had a note from someone she caught shoplifting. She would have been touched by that."

Sarah's relatives say she was dedicated to family life, doting on her sister Joanna, 22, half-sister Ellie May, seven, and step-brother Lewis, 10.

She also had two Husky dogs, Chaos and Thor, who she enjoyed taking for long walks in the countryside.

Her mother Christine Mathers, from Rowanfield, said: "We will miss her more than I can say.

"If you could choose a way to die then going peacefully in your sleep might be it. But it was too soon for Sarah. She had so much left to do.

"She loved her family so much and would call me every day just to see how I was doing. That's the kind of person she was."

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In her last Facebook update, written after a day spent racing her dogs in the Forest of Dean, Sarah said: "Had a fantastic weekend with Gareth and the boys. Love to you all."

Her father Alan Ryland, who lives in Beckford near Tewkesbury, said: "We're absolutely heartbroken. Part of you dies when your daughter dies. It is hard to imagine life without her.

"She was a beautiful girl who had so much in front of her. We will miss her every day."

Sarah worked closely with police in the town centre, liaising with them to keep an eye on shoplifters and people caught breaking the law.

PC Annabel Brittain, of Gloucestershire police, said: "I was always struck by Sarah's friendly, bubbly nature which made her a pleasure to deal with.

"I feel touched and honoured that she counted me as a friend as well as a colleague. She will be hugely missed."

The funeral will take place tomorrow (Friday) at St Peter's Church, Leckhampton, at noon.

Donations should go to Afghan Heroes - a cause which was close to Sarah's heart.