Tributes have been paid to a “popular” 18-year-old girl from the Shropshire border who died in a car crash.

Rebecca Canning, of Loggerheads, near Market Drayton, died on Tuesday afternoon on the A51 between Woore and Nantwich. Her parents, John and Susan Canning, said she would be dearly missed by friends and family including her sister Karen, 30, and her brother Michael, 16.

They added that Rebecca had attended primary school in Oakengates, Telford, as a youngster before the family moved to Loggerheads about seven years ago.

Rebecca then attended Madeley High School in Staffordshire.

Today staff at South Cheshire College in Crewe, where Rebecca was studying to become a beautician, paid tribute to the teenager.

Amanda Ashwin, beauty therapy lecturer and Rebecca’s course tutor said Becky would be missed by all her friends at the college.

She said: “Becky was a truly inspirational member of our group.

“She was always the first to volunteer advice and guidance to any of her peers and she was very well liked within the group.

“She was a valuable asset to the department and will be sadly missed by all her friends within the college, especially the hair and beauty team.

“We will always remember her and she will always be in our thoughts.”

She added staff and students in the hair and beauty department are dedicating this year’s annual hair and beauty competition, which takes place on January 24, to Rebecca.

College principal Peter Swift said: “Rebecca was a very popular student and will be sadly missed.”

He added: “Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”

Shaun Mather, manager at B&Q in Telford Bridge Retail Park, where Rebecca had worked part-time for 18 months, said: “Rebecca was a very bubbly character and will be sadly missed by staff and customers because of her friendly and supportive attitude towards others.

“Our thoughts are with her friends and family.”

Rebecca was driving a silver Daewoo Lanos which crashed into a tree beside the A51 at Doddington just before 4pm.

She suffered fatal injuries but no other vehicles were involved.

Cheshire Police are investigating the incident and have appealed for any witnesses to the crash to call officers at the Eastern Area Roads Policing Team on (01244) 612767.