HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a Bridgwater mother who died suddenly on Saturday.

Heidi Hopley, 41, was found in the garden of her North Petherton home by her partner the morning after enjoying a trip to Bridgwater.

Scott Fisher, who had been with Mrs Hopley for three years, tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate her after discovering her outside her home in Clare Street at around 7am on Saturday. 

She was pronounced dead at the scene after paramedics attempts to revive her were unsuccessful. 

Police attended the scene but are not treating her death as suspicious.

Heidi was a senior therapist at the charity Brainwave, helping thousands of children in her role.

Now, following the sudden death, Heidi's family have paid a touching tribute to their "lovely" girl.

Speaking to the Mercury, Martin Felstead, Heidi's father, said: “She was such a lovely girl and so giving.

"She helped literally thousands of brain injured children and spent 22 years working at Brainwave.

“She was dedicated to her job and worked tirelessly to help those families.

“She will be missed by everyone there she has worked with and that she has helped.

“She leaves behind a 12 year old daughter Billy Jo and a lovely partner, Scott Fisher.

“She always had a big party on carnival night for all of her friends and the community loved it. She was very excited for it.

“We will miss her very much.”

A family member, who wished to remain anonymous, added: "Everyone is absolutely devastated.

"She appeared to be in good health the previous evening and it's all very sudden.

"Heidi was a hugely popular and loved by many.

"She was a really vibrant and bubbly person. She was very happy.

"She was originally from Bridgwater but lived in North Petherton for a few years.

"She loved village life and was the heart and soul of the village." 

Phil Edge, chief excective of Brainwave, said staff at the charity were devastated with the news, and paid tribute to the "popular" therapist.

He said: “I worked with Heidi for 20 years and she was extremely popular with all the staff and colleagues here.

“She loved working with children and was dedicated to working with the families and with the charity.

“She will leave a big hole here and will be greatly missed by us all.”

Mrs Hopley had worked for Brainwave at Curland since 1993 and was a senior therapist, having previously been employed by social services.

She leaves behind a 12 year old daughter, Billie Jo.