HUNDREDS of people turned up to a charity night to remember a popular Melksham woman who died in a car crash last year.

Michelle Phillips, 26, was killed last April while travelling back from a holiday in Devon with her boyfriend.

Her parents, John and Sandra Phillips, of Halifax Road, Bowerhill, organised the event to mark what would have been her 27th birthday and were overwhelmed by the response, raising £3,245 for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Mrs Phillips said: "It was really important to have the evening. Her friends have said how much they needed that. I don't think you realise how much you need it until it's happened.

"We are glad now we've done it and to raise that amount of money as well was a bonus."

Mrs Phillips said it was the first time friends and family had come together since the funeral, with 400 people filling Melksham Assembly Hall on Friday night.

"It was brilliant although it was obviously sad at times. It was as if Michelle was there. Some of her young friends got very emotional and gave us a hug."

The idea for the evening started after Sandra Phillips won Letter of the Week in the Wiltshire Times and decided to use her prize to raise money for a worthwhile charity.

The plan snowballed, with friends and family calling for an event in Michelle's memory.

Entertainment was provided by Corsham band Speakers Corner, before tributes were paid to Michelle. Mrs Phillips said: "I said a few words and then asked people to buy some flowers for themselves to put in their homes on the Sunday, as a reminder of her birthday."