THE family of a Droitwich girl who died in a road accident following a school reunion has paid tribute to a "bright and beautiful" young woman.

Kelly Bicknell, formerly Kelly Warrilo, was killed as she attempted to cross the A38 in Bromsgrove following a night out with old school friends on Saturday.

Chris and Eileen Bicknell, of Nuffield Drive, Droitwich, took the 23-year-old under their wing after her mother died when she was 16.

"She was a bright and beautiful girl and it's hard to take in that she has gone," said Mrs Bicknell.

"She was the daughter I never had, and we were the family she never had, and I only hope that the seven years she was with us were as happy for her as they were for us.

"It's hard to understand why she was given to us and then taken away so cruelly."

Kelly was a pupil at Whitford Hall and Dodderhill School in Droitwich before going on to become head girl at Bromsgrove School, where she boarded after her mother Susan Warrilo, of Hanbury, died.

She achieved nine GCSEs and four A-levels at the school and went on to receive a 2.2 BA (Hons) degree in Business Studies at Liverpool University.

Kelly spent last Christmas in Africa as part of a six-month adventure.

"She was full of life and her main ambition was to be a mum and to have a family," said Mrs Bicknell, who runs Eileen Bicknell Interiors in Worcester Road, Bromsgrove.

"When her mother died she had no relatives at all and it was difficult for her. She always wanted to meet someone special and settle down."

Kelly had been working as a recruitment consultant in Birmingham and had recently moved to a house in Bromsgrove, which is where she was returning to when she was in collision with a green and silver Smart car at about 2am on Sunday.

"We think that she was killed instantly," said Mr Bicknell. "It's been an extremely difficult time for us and for her friends. She was very well liked by everyone she met.

"Our two sons are coming over from their homes in Belgium and Zimbabwe to be with us and to say goodbye to Kelly."

Kelly's funeral will take place on Thursday, December 30, at 11am at the Bromsgrove School chapel.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident, which took place near the junction of New Road in Bromsgrove, to call them on 08457 444888 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.