A 12-year-old girl who died after being hit by a double-decker was a "fun-loving and bubbly" West End dancer.

Charlotte Leatherbarrow, a dancer at Billy Elliot, The Musical, was hit by a number 68 bus in Herne Hill in front of her horrified mother and little brother yesterday (March 17).

According to witnesses, she was 'rushing across the road' to her dance class at South London Dance Studios when the bus hit her.

She was trapped beneath it for almost three hours, but is believed to have died instantly.

Her family released a statement through the Met Police which read: ''Our beloved 12 year old daughter, Charlotte, was tragically taken from us on Thursday, March 17, on Herne Hill Road about 7pm. She was hit by a bus while crossing the road, which is currently being investigated by the police.

"Charlotte was a fun loving, thoughtful, caring and bubbly girl. She loved life and lived it to the full, already living her dream as a dancer.

"As a family, we ask that our privacy be respected, so that we can be left alone to grieve at this time."

Bunches of flowers with messages were left tied to a lamp post at the scene of Charlotte's death, including a message that read: “For Charlotte, our special dancing child, full of life and light. You are in His arms now.”

London Ambulance Service paramedics attended the scene where she was pronounced dead.

The bus driver was also treated by paramedics, but did not require hospital treatment.

Herne Hill was closed to traffic for several hours while officers from the Road Death Investigation Unit (CO15) examined the scene.

A post-mortem is due to happen on Monday, March 21, and an inquest will also be opened and adjourned in due course.

No arrests have been made.

Officers are now keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the incident, or the movement of either Charlotte or the bus in the moments leading up to her death.

Anyone with information should call the Road Death Investigation Unit at Hampton Traffic Garage on 020 8941 9011 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Did you know Charlotte? Call the newsroom on 020 8722 6337 or leave your tributes on the box below