The family of a former Shropshire woman who died in a two-car smash on a Lincolnshire road have paid tribute to their “beautiful princess”, describing her as a “free spirit”.

Mother-of-one Leah Ford died following the collision in her blue Ford Mondeo on the A153 through the village of Dalderby on Friday afternoon. The driver of the other car 56-year-old Lincolnshire woman Julia Ann Cannon died in hospital later.

Miss Ford, 22, who had changed her name from Leanne Thomas because of her passion for Ford cars, spent her  childhood living in Coleham, Shrewsbury, and attended Coleham Primary School and Wakeman School.

She had a young son, Aidan.

Her mother Allison “Dee” Thomas paid tribute to her daughter and revealed her heartache as the two were just beginning to build bridges after growing apart in recent years.

She said: “I’m absolutely devastated. She was my angel, the light of my life. I’m going to be so lost because to me she was a little princess.

“She was a free spirit, very strong-minded and independent.

“She had a little boy and she was very beautiful and had her whole life ahead of her.

“We were just beginning to rebuild our relationship after a spell of growing apart.

“Last time she came here she was looking so well and told me she had met someone who made her happy.”

Mrs Thomas added that her daughter “lived for her car” and had met her new partner through a website for Ford enthusiasts.

Miss Ford’s sister Lucy Kate, 16, also paid tribute saying: “She was my princess Leah.”

At the time of her death, Miss Ford had been working at a nursing home in Lincolnshire, where she lived with her partner Ron Kennedy, 39, who is in the RAF.

In a statement he said: “Life will never be the same again without my Leah.”

Miss Ford also leaves her father, David, who lives in Ellesmere.

Lincolnshire Police said Miss Ford died at the scene of the crash while the driver of the other vehicle, a Kia Sedona, was airlifted to hospital and also later died.

By Tom Johannsen