Tributes have been paid to a 22-year-old university student who was found dead at her flat in a tragedy that has left her family heartbroken.

Zara Malone, a former Plymouth College prefect, was studying English and Classical Literature at Exeter University.

She was found by her flatmate at Old Tiverton Road, Exeter, at about 9.45pm on Tuesday.

An ambulance was called and Miss Malone was declared dead at the scene.

Police have said there are no suspicious circumstances and an inquest and post-mortem examination will be held. Her parents Roger and Liz Malone, of Plymouth, paid heartfelt tribute to their daughter.

Mr Malone said: "Zara has left a huge gap in all our lives that will never be filled. Her personality and humour made it impossible not to love her.

"Zara was a very popular girl at school and really enjoyed her time at Plymouth College. She was very happy there."

Mrs Malone said: "Zara was a good cartoonist and made her own family birthday cards in which she captured the spirit of family in-jokes. She found humour in all spheres of life and this was captured in her cartoons and caricatures."

Miss Malone won a scholarship to Plymouth College main school and left with three A-levels in English, History and Classical Civilisation. She was a senior prefect and house captain of Sargents House.

Mr and Mrs Malone said she played in many sports teams and was particularly keen on swimming and netball, in which she excelled. Miss Malone also helped with school events including house drama and music.

Sarah Dunn, Plymouth College deputy head, said: "Everyone at Plymouth College is devastated to hear the news about Zara. She was a lovely, effervescent girl, very sporty and very popular with both her peers and teachers. Our thoughts are with her family at this dreadful time."

Professor Nick Kaye, Exeter University Dean of the College of Humanities, said: "Zara was a popular and talented student who was well liked by staff and students. We are all devastated by this news and our thoughts are very much with her family and friends."

Miss Malone is survived by her parents and her sisters, twins Zoe and Zeta. Her interests included theatre, reading, writing, swimming and hockey. She loved animals and kept fish and rats.

A police spokesman said officers an Old Tiverton Road address at 9.45pm on Tuesday following the report of a sudden death. He said: "The body of a 22-year-old woman was discovered in the property. Police are not treating the death as suspicious and a file will be submitted to HM Coroner."