THE SISTER of Samantha Thomas who died in a flat fire in Cwmbran yesterday said she was a "kind-hearted and generous person".

Speaking on behalf of the family, Rachael Louise Jayden-Lee Jenkins, 21, said they have been left ‘heartbroken’ by the loss of Miss Thomas.

“She was a kind-hearted, generous person,” she said.

“If you needed anything she would always text or call straight away.

“She was always there for me and she was always there for everybody.

“Loads of people have said how well liked she was-she would always say 'Hi' to everybody when she passed them or in the shops.”

As a tribute to her sister Miss Jenkins plans to get a tattoo next Friday (May 29) on her left wrist with the word ‘sister’ surrounded by a heart and butterfly.

She also plans to complete a sponsored walk in Pontypool in the coming weeks in her memory to raise funds for the funeral.

“It’s hard - we are trying to keep her memory going,” she said.

“It is heartbreaking, but she will always be my big sister.”

Born in Panteg, Miss Thomas grew up in Trevethin, attending Penygarn Infants, before moving to Canterbury where she went to The Orchard School.

A ‘happy-go-lucky’ person who liked animals and music, Miss Thomas was auntie to Miss Jenkins’ 18 month-old son Jayden.

“She loved him to bits,” Miss Jenkins said.

“She used to like going to the shops and buying him things; she used to say ‘I’m getting him this whether you like it or not!’”

Miss Thomas enjoyed a close relationship with her family, and would regularly meet up with parents William and Janye Thomas; siblings Sarah Thomas, 31; brother Michael Thomas, 30; and her three nieces and nephews.

“We stuck together,” Miss Jenkins said of their close relationship.

“Every time I went for a tattoo she would be like; ‘I’m coming.’”

”She had three tattoos –she wasn’t really brave when she went to get them- but if I was there she was fine.”

Miss Thomas was academic and studied animal care and child care at Canterbury College.

“She loved going to school,” her sister added.

“She was really, really brainy, but she never used to admit it.

“I could see that she was brainy as she used to sit and help me with my homework.

“She was also really arty and good at drawing.”

Leaving Canterbury, Miss Thomas moved to Yorkshire, before returning to Wales where she met current fiancé Paul Fields three years ago.

Miss Thomas volunteered to work with animals at vets and charities, something which she continued to do throughout her life “She loved animals and she loved kids,” her sister said.

“She liked shopping and whenever I used to buy things she would be like, ‘I want that same thing.’ “She has had loads of jobs, mainly in pubs and would volunteer helping animals.

“She was well known in the community and well liked.

“She was bubbly and up for a laugh and had a good sense of humour.”

The family were informed the devastating news of her death by police officers yesterday.

“My mum ran me and told me what had happened,” Miss Jenkins said.

“I have messaged the person who tried to help and say thank you.

“It’s a heartbreaking thing.”