A Laxey cafe co-owner is encouraging the public to spread kindness online following the death of her friend, television presenter Caroline Flack.

Bev Clegg of The Shed and Creative Juices has started a positive initiative that aims to make people think before posting on social media, using the hashtag #pleasebekind.

Miss Flack was most-known for being a former host of ITV’s reality show Love Island and The X Factor. The 40-year-old, who faced trial over claims that she had assaulted her boyfriend, took her own life on February 15.

On the cafe’s Facebook Page, Mrs Clegg announced that they have ’all been rocked with the desperately sad death of Caroline Flack’.

Mrs Clegg first met the star 18 months ago on a juicing retreat in Portugal.

’It was under sad circumstances with her then boyfriend that she was there,’ she told the Examiner.

’She was having a really tough time. I think I was in the right place at the right time being only a few doors down the corridor from her. We bonded massively and would put the world to right.

’She was the kindest, sweetest, most gorgeous soul you could wish to meet. She wasn’t into this prima donna type of thing.

’We kept in touch ever since and it was only four weeks ago that she messaged me saying she was having a really tough time with the press and social media to do with her arrest.’

Mrs Clegg said she replied to Miss Flack saying she should come to the island where she could relax away from the eyes of the media.

’She said: "Leave it with me. I’ll figure it out",’ Mrs Clegg said. ’Sadly it wasn’t to be.’

The presenter’s death has affected millions, including members of the public who had never met her.

This prompted Mrs Clegg to do use her platform at The Shed.

She said: ’We see it all the time - people being nasty on social media and having a dig at others. You don’t realise the impact of your words and it’s so much easier to do this online.

’In my opinion I think it was the stuff Caroline saw online that affected her most.’

Miss Flack’s Instagram post in December, which read: ’In a world where you can be anything, be kind’, has been shared around social media in memory of the presenter and to make a stand against online trolls.

The Shed are using the hashtag #pleasebekind, but have asked the public for ideas on how to spread kindness in the Manx community.

The response has been ’positive’, she said, with people suggesting a ’pay it forward’ scheme in which people cover the cost of a coffee for the next customer.

’We’ve had Laxey School, Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch, mental health charities and social media influencers and gyms get in touch saying they would like to help,’ she said.

’The Shed is a bit of a sancuary and people say when they come here it’s like getting Shed therapy, but this isn’t just about The Shed. We want other businesses and cafes to get involved.

’We think something positive will come out of Caroline’s death.’

To get involved, search for @theshedlaxey on Facebook.