THE death of the teenage daughter of Marlborough GP David Maurice has shattered the town.

Annabel, 18, of Kingsbury Street, Marlborough, died after her Citroen Saxo car collided with a Ford Transit van on the Beckhampton to Devizes road on Monday.

The crash occurred in heavy rain at 10.10am near Shepherds Shore on the A361, on the Marlborough side of the junction with the Calne road.

The teenager, described by friends as being as bright as she was beautiful, was driving towards Marlborough after spending a night with friends in Devizes. She received fatal injuries in the crash and died at the scene.

Annabel was the youngest of the three children of the Rev Dr David Maurice, who is a curate with the Marlborough team ministry as well as a GP at the town's medical practice, and his wife Rachel.

A former award-winning pupil of Dauntsey's School, West Lavington, Annabel had been working at the Brendoncare home for the elderly at Froxfield since October.

She was planning to spend part of her gap year between school and university in South America, not just holidaying but teaching English to youngsters.

Friends and family said Annabel's whole reason for being was giving, sharing and caring for others.

Her mother and father have been too distraught since the accident to talk about their loss.

They have been comforted at their Kingsbury Street home by their two sons, Edward and James.

James was called home from Edinburgh University where he is studying medicine. He could follow in the footsteps of six previous generations of his family and become a doctor in Marlborough.

Annabel was planning to go to Leeds University in September to read English and drama.

She was an exceptionally bright student at Dauntsey's and at last July's prize giving before graduation she was awarded the James Robertson biology prize and a prize for English.

Annabel was born in Marlborough into the family that has been providing medical care to the town and district since 1792.

She went to St Mary's Infants School before going to St Francis School at Pewsey and then to Dauntsey's.

Former schoolfriends, colleagues she was working with at Brendoncare and her grandmother, Anne Maurice, spoke of the bubbly and laughing girl for whom nothing was too much trouble if it was helping others.

Mrs Maurice, widow of Dr Dick Maurice, said: "She was always bubbly and cheerful and a joy to be with."

A spokeswoman at Brendoncare said staff and residents had been distraught since hearing news of Annabel's death.

"Everybody here loved her because she was so kind," she said.

"Annabel was just a lovely young lady who loved her work and was loved by everybody.

"She was very kind to the residents and had a good sense of humour. The residents are all still shocked at the news."

Former Marlborough GP Dr Nick Maurice, a cousin of Dr David, said: "Annabel has been described as a free spirit, a bright and lively person and a very fine actress.

"She was keen on using that particular skill to work with people with learning difficulties and it looked as though that would be the direction she would go after university."

Annabel used to spend time at the Mustard Seed Christian bookshop and tea rooms in Hilliers Yard, where her mother works.

Deborah Reynolds, who runs Mustard Seed, said: "Annabel had a great zest for life."

Staff and pupils at Dauntsey's School have also been deeply saddened by the tragedy.

A spokesman said: "Annabel was a vibrant, life-loving girl who brought huge enthusiasm and energy to everything she did.

"She was very talented, warmly caring towards others, and with an irrepressible sense of humour tremendous company. She was much loved; we will miss her greatly."

With her parents and brothers, Annabel was very close to the church and attended St Mary's Church, Marlborough, regularly.

The funeral will take place next week at St Mary's although the details were still being arranged as the Gazette went to press.

The bells at St Mary's were rung half-muffled at Tuesday evening's practice and similarly at St John The Baptist Church, at Mildenhall, on Wednesday evening as sign of respect for Annabel and her family.

Canon Henry Pearson, who was rector of Marlborough for ten years and is now rector at Trent, near Sherborne, spoke of his sadness over the loss of a girl that he had prepared for her communion some years ago.

Canon Pearson, who left Marlborough two years ago, said: "The Maurices are a close and caring family. Annabel always had a lovely, bubby, outgoing personality.

"She was always warm and friends to everyone she met. She had a love of drama and was a very good actress.

"Annabel was able to mix with a wide range of people with confidence, winning them over with her ready smile and outgoing way."