A LOVE of horses has led to the tragic death of a Vale mother.

Allison Lawton, mother of two children, died after a freak accident with her new horse.

Her family this week paid tribute to the doting mum who had recently returned to her hobby of horse riding.

Husband John said: "She was dedicated to the children and was always doing things for other people. Horse riding was the only thing she had of her own and it has taken her away from us."

Allison's mother Doreen Tarran, who lives next door with dad Bill at White Ladies, Aston said: "We did everything together. She was a governor at the children's school in Upton Snodsbury, and now they are planning to name a classroom after her."

The accident happened on May 21 in a field near Allison's home. The 33-year-old and a friend were exercising Meadow on a lunging rein when the 15-hand horse slipped and fell on top of her. It resulted in a head injury from which she never recovered - even though she was wearing a safety helmet. She was in intensive care at Queen Elizabeth Hospital for six days before she finally died last Tuesday.

Friend from Pershore High School days, Tracy Norman said: "She was a completely natural country girl. She loved walking her dogs in the early morning and her family were everything to her."

Head of Upton Snodsbury First School, Chris Complin said: "Allison was a wonderful parent and school governor. It is very appropriate for the new classroom to be named after her, especially as three or four generations of her family have been involved in the school."

Allison also attended Pinvin Middle School, she was a member of Croome Pony Club, and worked as a part-time cashier at Lloyds Bank in Pershore. She leaves nine year old Joshua, seven-year-old Charlotte and brother Adrian.

She will be conveyed to her funeral at John the Baptist Church in White Ladies in a horse drawn hearse next Thursday at 11am. Family flowers only have been requested, but donations can be made to FUSS, the Friends of Upton Snodsbury School, and may be sent to E Hill & Son, Fairfield House Defford Road, Pershore WR10 1HZ.