HEARTBROKEN friends of Ava Gray paid tribute to their 'dancing angel' with a balloon release in Bonhill on Saturday.

People gathered at Dalmonach Park to say a final goodbye to Ava, a pupil at the Full Out dance studio in Dumbarton.

Ava, from Alexandria, died after getting into difficulty on the River Leven last weekend.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter:

The body of the 12-year-old Lennox Primary pupil was recovered from the river near Balloch Bridge at around 9.45pm on Sunday, August 9 following a three-hour search by emergency services.

Before the balloons were released on Saturday, some of Ava's favourite music was played over a PA system, and afterwards there was a short impromptu display of dance by some of the young people attending the tribute.

Samantha Henderson, who organised Saturday's tribute, said on Facebook afterwards: "The amount of people who turned up to show how much she really meant to everyone was phenomenal.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter:

"I personally would like to thank Ava's family for allowing me and my sister to do this.

"I would like to thank everyone who helped us along the way. It’s greatly appreciated.

"Fly high wee one. I hope you're dancing in the sky. Love you lots."

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