Tributes have poured in for a British woman who tragically died in her sleep while holidaying in Madrid.

Lydia Williams has been described as ‘beautiful and fearless’ by her friends, while her heartbroken family issued a heartfelt tribute to the 32-year-old, saying: ‘We are immensely proud of what our little girl with the beaming smile became.

‘She achieved so much, loved so deeply, and left the world better than she found it.’

The young tourist, originally from Caerphilly, Wales, had been travelling the world with her husband Ed when she died ‘peacefully in her sleep’ at a hospital in the Spanish capital. 

Lydia’s mum, Nicole Howells, said: ‘My beautiful, exceptional, funny, caring, simply one in a million daughter Lydia passed away peacefully in her sleep.

‘She fulfilled a life in 32 years, that only some of us can ever dream of.

‘As a mother I couldn’t have been more proud of everything she achieved, and how she made a life of dreams, through determination and her passion for life.

‘To be around her made life more special and exciting. She was a little girl with the brightest sparkle, which never dimmed in adulthood.

Lydia Williams died peacefully in her sleep while holidaying in Madrid with her husband 

Tributes have poured in for the 32-year-old, with loved ones describing her as ‘beautiful and fearless’ 

‘Not only was she beautiful, she had the best sense of humour, and protected everyone she cared for passionately.’

She added that Lydia, of Caerphilly, South Wales, had been planning on returning home for Christmas but her life was ‘cruelly cut short’.

‘The pain is unbearable but I will be forever proud of everything she achieved in her life in such a short time,’ she said. 

Lydia – a promotional worker – had been living in New Hampshire, USA, with her husband and their two beloved sphynx cats for the last seven years before tragedy struck.

The Brit was described as a keen traveller who had made several friends across the globe. 

Her grief-stricken mother said: ‘People have written to tell me that they met Lydia by chance – on a train, or in a queue – and she became part of their lives from that moment onwards.

‘She gave people strength and comfort in their darkest times, even if she’d never met them in person.’

One friend commented: ‘Her friendship meant more than everything. It was a love more powerful than anything. She made us all feel safe and loved.’

Lydia had been living in New Hampshire, USA, with her husband for the last seven years

Friend Dean Wintle said: ‘We’ve lost the most vibrant, precious, beautiful young lady I’ve ever had the chance of meeting in my life.’

Her husband, Ed, said: ‘Marrying Lydia was, and will always be, the greatest decision of my lifetime. 

‘Although the years we had together ended far too soon, we filled those years travelling the world with enough memories to last a lifetime. She was the most incredible person I ever knew, and I will always love her with all of my heart.’

Her mother added: ‘If we can learn anything from Lydia, it’s to follow your dreams, live life fully, hold on to loved ones, and be kind to others. She believed in treating everyone equally and building people up. We need more Lydias in this world. Life is short – live, love, laugh, and be happy.’

Lydia’s funeral service will take place at St Martin’s Church, Caerphilly, on Thursday.