Heartfelt tributes have been pouring in following the death of horse rider Fiona Gale who suffered from a debilitating form of asthma.

Miss Gale, 30, was found dead on railway tracks a mile east of Alderton Tunnel last Wednesday morning.

Malmesbury Police discovered her body near to her car after a missing persons report was lodged earlier that day.

It is believed that she was hit by a train on the London to Cardiff mainline. British Transport Police are not treating the death as suspicious.

Miss Gale lived with her mother Barbara Gale, a reporter for BBC Radio Wiltshire, at their home in Manor Close, Sherston.

Mrs Gale said she was too distressed to speak about her daughter's death.

A spokesman for BBC Wiltshire Sound said: "I can confirm that Barbara's daughter has died but since this is a private matter I cannot give any more details. Barbara has requested that her privacy is respected at this difficult time."

Miss Gale suffered from brittle asthma, which meant she could experience respiratory failure at any time.

Her condition meant she could and frequently did collapse from respiratory failure.

Four years ago she was also diagnosed with osteopenic, a thinning of the bones, brought on by steroids to treat her asthma.

Since her diagnosis she broke her collarbone, her wrist and her back in a riding accident.

Her main passion was horses and she used to work as head girl at the stables of champion show jumper Graham Fletcher, at Wolstone, near Swindon.

The former Malmesbury School pupil had been forced to give up work due to the illness.

But she continued to ride and was an active member of the Beaufort Hunt for more than ten years.

Captain Ian Farquhar, joint master of the hunt, said the tragedy had deeply saddened them all.

"She was a most charming girl. She was incredibly brave and lovely.

"The whole hunt and myself just think it is an absolute tragedy and feel terribly sorry for Barbara.

"It is just so sad that someone so nice as she was had such terrible bad luck."

Capt Farquhar said Miss Gale fought her illness and everyone greatly admired her determination.

"Even though she spent a lot of time in hospital she was determined every time she came out to ride and keep herself busy. It is desperately tragic," he said.

Family friend Kitty Goddard, of Knockdown Road, Sherston, said she had known Miss Gale since she was a little girl.

"I remember her dashing around, waving at me. She just loved riding. She raised money for lots of things and she was very popular. She was very generous and always helped people. She will be greatly missed," she said.

Miss Gale was diagnosed with brittle asthma when she was 15. Before she became ill she was a horse-rider and show jumper.

She spent months in hospital each year, because the drugs had side effects on her liver and kidneys, weakening her immune system and thinning her bones. In 1998 she set herself the target of raising £10,000 for the Royal United Hospital to buy specialised respiratory equipment, which allowed patients to remain in the general ward instead of in intensive care.

Speaking at the time Miss Gale said: "I want to give back what has been given to me. The consultant, doctors and nurses here are really brilliant, and are doing everything they can to get me well again as quickly as possible."

Arrangements are being made for a private funeral and a memorial service is planned for the future.