THE father of Annabel Maurice, the 18-year-old who died in a car crash, paid a moving tribute to her at her funeral service yesterday.

The Rev Dr David Maurice, who is a curate with the Marlborough team ministry and a GP in the town, spoke of his love and joy of Annabel at the service held at St Mary's Church.

Annabel, who lived with her parents in Kingsbury Street, Marlborough, died on January 12 when her car was in collision with a van on the A361 Devizes to Beckhampton road.

The church was so full for the service that the adjoining church hall was opened to accommodate the mourners, who numbered more than 500.

The coffin was draped in a red cloth on which her family and friends had sewn and stuck on tributes to Annabel.

More than 40 pupils from her former school, Dauntsey's, at West Lavington, attended along with members of staff.

Dr David said Annabel's death was an awful tragedy but the family was comforted by the fact she was with God.

He said: "Annabel had all the qualities I wanted to have in a daughter. She was pretty, intelligent and fun to be with."

Annabel was a committed Christian and regularly attended St Mary's with her father and mother, Rachel, and her brothers Edward and James.

Academically brilliant, she was due to go to Leeds University in September to read English and drama.

Annabel's cousin Sam Boddam-Whetham said: "Annabel had a beautiful smile, she was radiant and never had a bad word to say about anyone. She was an angel. She had the world at her feet."

We would like to apologise to readers for any distress caused by the use of the montage picture of Annabel and the crash scene in last week's Gazette .