MORE than 100 people turned out for a vigil to pay respects to backpacker Grace Millane who died in New Zealand.

A huge crowd of people packed onto the front lawn of the Fox and Hounds pub in Ramsden last night to lay candles, flowers and tributes to the 22-year-old from Wickford.

Ms Millane disappeared in Auckland on December 1. Police ended their search on Sunday after finding a body on the outskirts of the city.

She was a few weeks into a yearlong trip after graduating from the University of Lincoln in September.

Church Road in Ramsden was full of parked cars as villagers and those from further afield poured into the village to pay respects.

People gathered around the pub’s biggest tree in the front garden, which had been decorated with yellow ribbons in honour of Ms Millane.

Pictures, flowers, candles, messages and ribbons were laid at the base of the tree, with many attendees wearing white ribbons.

One of those attending was Seana Cassidy, who knew Ms Millane from when they went to school at St Thomas More in Westcliff.

She said: “I think it’s really lovely and wonderful to be here, it’s quite nice to come here and have people that are here for the same thing as you when it’s such a difficult time.

“It was absolutely devastating when I woke up and heard what had happened.

“She was always so happy and bubbly, she was such a nice person.

“I hope people can think of all the best memories they had, that she left behind, I’ll be thinking about that.”

Vicky Jones, a resident of Ramsden, said: “I think the whole village turned out for Grace tonight, it’s incredible to see so many come into the cold to support each other and celebrate her life.

“I didn’t know her personally, but seeing hearing friends talk of her, and seeing people here tonight, it’s clear so many cared for her.”

Another resident, Tom Challenger, said: “I’d seen the news about her, I knew this would be taking place, so I thought I’d come here to pay respects.

“I didn’t know her, but the news has been so sad and so many have been hit hard I felt it the right thing to do to come.”