THE death of a young Melksham woman in a car crash has inspired people around the town to honour her memory.

Michelle Phillips, 26, was killed in a three-car smash, in Devon, in April and her parents, John and Sandra and brothers Darren and Darrel, are still trying to come to terms with their loss.

Her mother, Sandra Phillips, said: "Losing a child is something you can't even imagine until it actually happens to you.

"It was such a shock because she was so full of life and so lovely with it."

Miss Phillips, a former pupil at the George Ward School and Trowbridge College, was well known in the area and her family and friends are determined to keep her memory alive through a number of memorials.

The White Hart pub at Atworth, where Miss Phillips worked behind the bar, has donated a bench in her name, which has been placed by the side of the Kennet and Avon Canal between Semington and Seend.

Miss Phillips also worked for Hargreaves Sports in The Shires shopping centre in Trowbridge and the shop and centre are also planning a bench dedicated to her memory.

At the time of her death Hargreaves Sports manager Ron Surgey said: "Michelle was more than just a colleague, she was a friend to all of us and we will miss her.

"She always had a smile and a joke for everyone and we will miss her for being Michelle not just for being assistant manager here."

A keen sportswoman, Miss Phillips played

tennis, netball and football while at school and also enjoyed gymnastics, trampolining, skiing and water sports.

She had been a member of the Melksham CATS netball team for two years and her teammates have also paid tribute to her memory, with two special trophies.

Mrs Phillips was invited to make the first presentation of the memorial trophy at a match played last week.

Local artist Rosalind Ozga, a relative of Miss Phillips' boyfriend, Steve Ozga, has also dedicated a book of poetry to her memory.

Hundreds of people went to the funeral, donating £1,350 to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, a charity her friends hope to continue raising money for in the future.

Mrs Phillips said: "All these things help to keep her memory alive and we are so grateful to everyone for that and for all the support we have had. Everyone has been wonderful."

An investigation into the cause of the accident, which happened on April 9, is continuing.