Villagers have been left in "total shock" after the teenage mother of an eight-week-old baby was found dead.

Jim Errington, landlord of the Queen's Head, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, said the death of barmaid Toni Treadwell, 18, had left everyone reeling.

Miss Treadwell was found dead at her home in Kelvedon Road just after 1am on Saturday.

She had been working at the North Street pub for just four weeks but Mr Errington said she was already a popular member of staff.

"She was bright and bubbly and would often have a little dance behind the bar. She was popular with the people she worked with and customers. She was a sweet girl. The first idea we had that there was anything wrong was when she did not turn up for work on Friday."

Police are not treating her death as suspicious. An inquest will be held later.

Published Wednesday July 14, 2004

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