NICOLA EMMERSON was celebrating her 20th birthday with friends at Destiny Nightclub, Watford, when she suddenly died from a heart defect she had been diagnosed with while still a baby.

Nicola, from Royston, was climbing up to the podium in the club, on The Parade, on January 7 to dance but, as she took hold of the ladder, she collapsed and fell backwards.

A friend behind her took hold of her and laid her on the floor but, desite the efforts of first aiders at the club and later paramedics, Nicola was pronounced dead when she arrived at Watford General Hospital Hertfordshire coroner Graham Danbury said at the inquest on Tuesday that Nicola could have died anywhere. Despite having alcohol in her bloodstream, this was not a contributing factor in her death.

"This could have happened at any time," Mr Danbury said. "The question as to what triggered it, no one can answer. The likelihood is that Nicola would have died immediately because her heart just stopped."

Before recording a verdict that Nicola had died of natural causes, Mr Danbury said: "She had so much of her life to look forward to."

On the night of her birthday, Nicola, who worked in Hotel Chocolat in Royston, hired a minibus to transport all her friends to Watford.

Once in Destiny, Nicola decided that she wanted to dance on one of the club's podiums. When she collapsed, she was taken to the first aid room where she was given CPR. Paramedics arrived within minutes but could do nothing to save her.

Since she was a baby, Nicola had suffered from Ruth Parkinson White Syndrome which caused her heart to beat out of rhythm.

Nicola's mother, Julie, said that her daughter had learned to live with her condition and that she was a fun-loving girl who liked nothing better than to be with her many friends.

Julie said: "We would like to thank everyone who came to the funeral. We were grateful she was with her friends when it happened and we're relieved she didn't suffer."

Steven Emmerson, Nicola's father, said: "The inquest was a formality to confirm what we were told. There were no surprises.

"Our main concern at the time was that someone may have spiked her drink but our concerns have now been put to rest. However, it's still very difficult for us because she was so special and we loved her very much."