The funeral of a teenage girl from Welshpool who died in an incident in the River Severn earlier this month will be held next week.

Holli Smallman, 15, who was described by her family as a “loving and caring” teenager, died after entering the river at a weir opposite Leighton Arches on the outskirts of Welshpool on Friday, August 9.

Her family has announced that her family will be held on Saturday, September 7, at 12pm in St Mary’s Church, Welshpool. They have asked people to wear a "touch of yellow" which was Holli's favourite colour.

While only family flower donations are permitted, donations in her memory would be gratefully received for paediatrics (children’s services), Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Services or Welshpool Ambulance station.

A fundraiser set up by Holli’s godmother, Tina Dewis, on the GoFundMe website has raised over £4,000 in less than three weeks towards "Holli’s special day and will act as a place for people to show there respect", with over 200 separate donations being made.

The funeral will be followed by a private family interment at Maesgwastad Cemetery. The fundraiser can be found here. 

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After reports of a missing person were made to Dyfed-Powys Police on Friday, August 9 and a multi-agency search along where the River Severn runs through Welshpool, police confirmed later that evening that a body was recovered, confirming that the person found was 15-year-old Holli.

In a statement issued days after the tragedy, her family said: “We wish to express how heart-broken we are by the tragic passing of our loving and caring girl Holli. The overwhelming grief and heartache devastates us all.

“Holli was a beloved sister, daughter, granddaughter and was so well loved by all of her family, extended family and friends.

“She was fun-loving and lived a life full of song and dancing, had an infectious joy for life and her positive and lovable cheeky nature made an impact on everyone she ever met.

“We are all so overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and kindness shown to us as a family and we thank you all for the messages and gestures made to us from everyone in the community. We have seen your messages which have meant so much to us.

“We also want to express our heartfelt thank you to all of the emergency services and rescue teams who did all they could to help Holli on that evening and the NHS staff at Telford who have been so supportive."