THE funeral of a young girl who was killed in a road accident on the way to collect her A-level results will take place a week to the day after her death, it has been revealed.

The service, in memory of Kelly Rice, aged 18, will be held at Upton Parish Church at 10am on Thursday, followed by a private burial.

Meanwhile, her family has asked that any donations be given to Hanley Castle sixth form, where the youngster attended. The school is raising money to buy a memorial bench in her honour.

Headteacher Rob Haring said: "There is an area of the school grounds called the Memorial Garden, where there are benches to commemorate staff and pupils who are no longer with us.

"We thought it would be a good idea to carry on this tradition with Kelly, to have somewhere people can go to remember her and where her memory will continue among us," he added.

Kelly, of The Woodlands, in Ryall, near Upton-upon-Severn, died last Thursday morning when her car was in collision with a blue-and-white Citroen Relay van on the A38 just south of the village of Kempsey.

Her family revealed that Kelly passed her three A-levels, achieving B in geography, B in chemistry and C in psychology and that she had planned to study Earth science at Cardiff University, starting in September.

As reported in the Worcester News on Saturday, Kelly's mother, Vanessa described her as the "perfect daughter."

She added: "Words cannot describe the pain we are feeling. Kelly was the perfect daughter.

"She passed her driving test in March and was so excited about having her first car. We don't know for sure what happened but can only pray that she didn't suffer."

An inquest into Kelly's death is due to be opened today. It is expected that the inquest, which is to be held at Worcestershire Coroner's Court, in Stourport-on-Severn, will then be adjourned to a date to be fixed.

Donations can be sent to Malcolm J Presland Funeral Directors, 19 High Street, Upton-upon-Severn, or by calling 01684 592393.