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Pier 'inundated' with tributes to Liam Payne

A bouquet of flowers with two photos of the boyband One Direction.
Clevedon Pier Several bouquets of flowers, letters and cards left in memory of Liam Payne. They have been placed on a bench on Clevedon Pier. Several plaques can be seen on the bench. Clevedon Pier
One Direction rose to fame after appearing on The X Factor in 2010
Tributes have been left along Clevedon Pier, where the group filmed a music video

A pier where One Direction filmed a music video has been "inundated" with tributes to the late Liam Payne, following the news of his death last week.

The 31-year-old fell from a balcony on the third-floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, according to Argentinian authorities.

A "constant stream" of Directioners - fans of the boy band - have been visiting Clevedon Pier in Somerset, where the group's video for 'You & I' was filmed in 2014.

Nicole Laken, business manager at the pier, said: “It’s really poignant and really sad."

Ms Laken said she "kind of expected" fans to visit the pier, but was surprised to see the volume of tributes.

Nicole Laken. She has short brown hair and is wearing a brown jumper and a black lanyard with "staff" printed on it. She is pictured outside on Clevedon Pier. Her hair is blowing in the wind. She is looking directly at the camera and smiling.
Nicole Laken said she felt "emotional" seeing fans lay tributes

The pier was partially closed due to high winds and rain on Sunday, but visitors can still walk down to the One Direction plaque, which was installed to commemorate the filming of the music video 10 years ago.

Staff took the floral tributes and cards inside to protect them from heavy rain and wind but plan to place them back by the plaque once conditions improve.

“The pier is a great place for reflection anyway - I think the fans obviously feel a connection because of the video, which is lovely," Ms Laken said.

"It was a difficult day and I think we all felt it," she added.

Image of Tasha Stone standing outside on Clevedon Pier. She is wearing glasses and a black hoodie. Her hair is light and tied back. She is looking directly at the camera and smiling.
Tasha Stone laid flowers on the pier on Sunday, in memory of Liam Payne

Tasha Stone, 20, was a fan of Payne from when she was seven, when he was in One Direction.

"He helped me through a lot of things, Liam was my favourite. To see him go like this is really heartbreaking.

"His admiration for things and belief in everybody. Liam was just kind to everybody and made an effort to be there for everybody."

She said laying flowers "heals her".

Meanwhile, about 50 people attended a vigil in Bath laying tributes to the former star.

India Westhoff, 24, became a fan in 2010 and said: "It hit me really hard, so having each other to support each other, it makes us feel like we're not alone."

Fans and celebrities around the world have paid tribute to Payne, with his former bandmates saying they are "completely devastated" by his death.

Vigils have been held in Payne's hometown of Wolverhampton, as well as in Liverpool and Argentina.

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