The mother who died after falling from the top floor of the Bentall Centre in Kingston was today described by a friend as having a "heart of gold".

Alexis Sims, 45, from Hampton, died inside the Kingston shopping centre on Monday.

She was a respected osteopath who had been running a clinic in a therapy room above a nail salon in Teddington for eight years and was married with two sons, a friend said.

A family-written sign in the window at Nail Generation in Broad Street, Teddington, told customers about the news.

It said: "The family of Alexis Sims would like to inform all her clients of her death following a tragic accident.

"She would want us to thank you all for your support over the last eight years."

Her colleague Sally Pettit, a beauty therapist who also practiced in the rooms above the nail salon, paid tribute to her friend.

She said: "People need to know she was such a kind hearted person. We are all in total shock.

"I have known her for five years. She had a heart of gold. She was such a warm lady.

"I officially heard it on Tuesday evening but we had our suspicions [something had happened]. Our clients were turning up and she wasn't here and that just never happened.

"She would always call all her clients if she was ill.

She wouldn't want to let anybody down. She was very professional. That's why it has been so hard."

Clients had been reacting with total shock to the news, she said.

"Some are saying they have known her for 15 years. I burst into tears when I found out.

"When she smiled at you she just lit up the room. She would just do anything for anyone.

"She was really well known. It won't just affect her clients and customers. It will affect Teddington."

She had two young sons who are pupils at St Mary’s and St Peter’s primary school.

The school's headteacher paid an emotional tribute to Mrs Sims today.

John Logan, headteacher of the school, in Somerset Road, Teddington, said: “We are all very saddened by the news. She was a much loved person with many friends in the school.

“We send our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family at this very difficult time.”

The school has written to parents and will offer support to any pupils affected.