The sudden death of Gemma Denning sent a wave of shock and grief across a whole community.

Now, the parents of the vibrant and bright Brockworth schoolgirl have spoken of the void left in their lives by the loss of their "perfect" daughter.

Lee Denning, Gemma's father, said: "I just love her so much and miss her so much.

"Life's never going to be the same without her. She had a heart of gold, she was just perfect.

"She was turning into a beautiful young lady."

Gemma's mum Melissa Miller added: "She was always loud, very loud and vibrant.

"She always had a smile on her face and she was very caring. She'd just done work experience at the Milestone School. She wanted to be a nurse looking after people with learning difficulties."

Lee added: "Seeing those vulnerable people just melted her heart, and she wanted to look after them and make a difference."

Melissa and Lee said they had both been very moved by the number of tributes left by loved ones on thisisgloucestershire.co.uk, and on social networking sites Facebook and Bebo.

"All the love and support from her friends has been really good," said Lee. "I would like to thank everyone who has left a message."

Gemma's aunt Louise Royles said they were all finding it difficult to come to terms with the tragedy.

She said: "It still feels like a very bad dream.

"She was the life and soul of everyone she knew. She wasn't just a daughter or a niece, she was a best friend to all of us.

"She was very close to her cousin Jamie. They grew up together and she looked out for him. When he heard the news the first thing he said was 'who's going to look after me now?'."

Throughout her time at school, Gemma devoted much of her skill and energy to sport, particularly football, playing with Brockworth Albion and even being chosen for the Gloucester Centre for Excellence when she was 11 years old.

Lee says that other than her nursing and footballing ambitions, Gemma had one main goal.

He said: "She was so looking forward to growing up.

"She was always talking about learning to drive, and getting a car and leaving school.

"She always seemed so happy, even as a little girl, always so happy."

Louise added: "She was headstrong and independent. She always had an adult head on her shoulders.

"She could be stubborn at times, and she always liked to have the last say."

When she died, Gemma was 15 years old and one year into her GCSEs at Brockworth Enterprise School.

She was found dead at her home in Avon Crescent last Saturday.

Melissa praised her daughter as a "wonderful sister" to her brothers Jack and Liam.

She said: "Liam's only 17 months old, so he doesn't understand what's going on.

"I don't think Jack really understands that she's never coming back."

She added that Gemma had also been a very special stepdaughter to her partner Mike, and to Lee's partner Tracey.

Her life will be celebrated at a funeral service on Friday at St George's Church, Brockworth.

Her family are asking that mourners arrive in bright colours, to reflect Gemma's vibrant personality.

"She'd tell us off if we all turned up in black," said Lee. "Everyone who knew her is welcome at the funeral."

The service will begin at 2pm on Friday, after Gemma has made her final journey by horse and carriage to the church.

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COMMENTS from Brockworth Enterprise School Support Network: Gemma Denning Facebook Page.

"I keep on thinking you will come back online gem gem and laugh at me for falling for it! :( i miss you sooooooo much! Never forget you!! I heard our song the other day! :) it made me cry though coz you wasn't there with me!! :( :( love you gem!"

Jessica Barnes

"still can't believe you have gone

hope your ok

ill neva forget all those funny times on tour and at school

rest in peace gem gem

love you xx"

Abbi Pearce

"It's so tragic. RIP sweetheart u'll always have a special place in so many peoples hearts xxxx"

Gemma Burnell

"Take care Gemma, Everyone missing you like crazy here... :-( xxxxxx Sleep well Gem R.I.P xxx"

Tina Hone

"Babee ii Amm Gunnaa Miss Yuu Soo Muchh .. :(

Yuu Were Wun Of The Happiest Gurls ii Ever Met .. Always Smilin !!

The Memories ii Have Of Yuu Will Always Bee In My Heart ..

Rest In Peace ...

:( .. Lovee Yuu Gemm .. x x x"

Bekah Sullivan

"Gemma, you was such a big character, had alot 2 say :) verry bubbly!! mad alot of ppl smile. you will be missed by so meny, we will not 4get you. R.I.P Gem Sleep well. Xxxxxxx"

Kerrie Gallagher

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COMMENTS from In Loving Memory of Gemma Louise Denning Facebook Page.

"u were a bright light that shone always and made evryone around u feel da same. RIP darling n always remember dat u r always in our thoughts and forever in our hearts x x x x x x x"

Charlene Mills