AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into the 'unexplained' death of a 19-year-old woman from Colne as police believe drugs may be involved.

Rebecca Cardwell collapsed at a house in Hawley Street last Sunday and was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

She died at St James' Hospital, Leeds, on Thursday afternoon. Police said they believed her death may be drug related.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Withers, head of CID in Pennine Division, said: “We believe drug use may have been involved but we won’t know any more until toxicology results come back.”

It is believed that Rebecca grew up in Colne and attended Lord Street Primary and Park High Schools.

Dr Paul Parkin, headteacher at Park High, where Rebecca went between 2002 and 2007, said she was ‘bubbly, lively and strong minded’.

He said: “In lower school she was form rep and she served on the school council. She represented the school in rounders and netball. The netball team was unbeaten in league and cup competitions during her time. At this tragic time our thoughts are obviously with her family and friends.”

Peter Valley, deputy headteacher at Lord Street Primary, said: “She is remembered by all the staff as a happy hardworking child who was full of life and energy. She had a fabulous sense of humour and loved to play tricks and tell jokes.

“She was popular and had lots of friends who I know will miss her very much. To lose someone so young makes us realise how precious time is. Rebecca didn't lose contact with school and came for work experience from high school. It was as if she had never been away.

“Our thoughts and best wishes go out to her family at this very sad time.”

Last night almost 600 people had signed up to the Facebook group, leaving hundreds of messages of sympathy.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “The death is currently being treated as unexplained and the exact cause of death has yet to be established.”