Tributes have been paid to a Scots teenager who is believed to have drowned while on a family holiday in Wales.
Hollie McClymont's body was recovered from the sea near Barry Island three days after she was seen getting into difficulty while swimming off Whitmore Bay.
Hollie, 14, from Glasgow, had been visiting relatives in Barry.
Hundreds of messages of condolence have since been left on social networking sites – and Hollie's headteacher has described her death as a devastating loss..
Andrew McSorley, headteacher of St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in Glasgow, said: "It was a terrible shock to learn of Hollie's death. She was due to start fourth year in August and everyone at the school who knew her will be shocked and saddened by this awful news."
The search for Hollie got under way on Sunday – but the alarm was not raised for an hour until after she was seen struggling in the water. Teams from HM Coastguard, RNLI lifeboats, and South Wales Police were involved.
Hopes began to fade on Monday when Coastguards said they had exhausted their efforts and handed over the search to police.
Yesterday, police broke the news that a specialist team had found a body in the sea near Fontygary – a small seaside village just a few miles from Whitmore Bay.
After being taken to Llandough Hospital, the body was identified as that of Hollie.
South Wales Police Chief Inspector Marc Lamerton said: "This is obviously a very difficult time for Hollie's family and friends and our thoughts are with them.
"This tragedy has highlighted the issue of beach safety and while Barry Island is a really safe and enjoyable place to visit, I would urge visitors to heed the advice and swim in the designated areas."
Police added that Hollie's death would be investigated by HM Coroner.
A post-mortem examination will be carried out first before an inquest can be opened and adjourned.
It is expected that short hearing, which will resume at a later date, will see an interim death certificate issued – allowing Hollie's family to begin funeral preparations.
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