THE funeral service for Kelly Rice, who died in a car crash on the A38, was held at Upton Parish Church yesterday.

Her family has asked that any donation be given to Hanley Castle High School, which intends to install a bench in its gardens in Kelly's memory.

The 18-year-old died after her Ford Ka collided with a van last Thursday, August 17, near Kempsey, as she was on her way to collect her A'Level results. She got Bs in geography and chemistry and a C in psychology and planned to study earth science at Cardiff University next month.

Her mother, Vanessa Rice, said: "She had everything to look forward to.

"She knew what she wanted and always worked so hard to achieve it."

"Kelly was on her way back from her boyfriend's home to go and collect her A'Level results with me. I spoke to her at 8.30am and she said she would be home for 9am.

"Words cannot describe the pain we are feeling. Kelly was the perfect daughter. We have a great void in our lives that cannot be filled."

Ms Rice said Kelly was a loving daughter and sister to Max, aged 16, and Naomi, 14, also pupils at Hanley Castle High.

Police are still appealing for witnesses to the collision to call 08457 444 888, quoting 120S/170806.

County coroner Victor Round opened an inquest into the Kelly's death on Tuesday at Stourport-upon-Severn but adjourned it for a date to be fixed. He said she suffered a closed head injury with a fracture to the skull.