THE former head teacher of teenager Emily Longley has described “a gentle and caring” girl who was planning for the future.

The 17-year-old Brockenhurst College student who was born in Britain but emigrated with her family to New Zealand, was found dead at a bungalow in Bournemouth’s Queenswood Avenue on Saturday morning.

Emily returned to the UK last year and was living with her grandparents in Bournemouth.

Clarinda Franklin, principal of Hauraki School in North Shore, Auckland, said: “Emily was memorable – lively but courteous, well-behaved and a supportive class member. There was a gentleness about her and a very caring side.”

Emily had visited New Zealand over Easter and called into her old school. “She was thinking about the future and spoke about her goals and aspirations. We are all desperately sorry.”

Emily had been on a night out with friends the evening before she was found dead. The cause of her death has not yet been established.

A 19-year-old and a 17-year-old both from Bournemouth have been arrested and released on police bail.