A VIBRANT person with a lust for life is how the family of car crash victim Helen Walker-Brown, 97, will fondly remember her.

The widow, of Lieutenant Colonel Bob Walker-Brown, who lived in Jarvis Street, Upavon, was driving a red Fiat Punto towards Amesbury when it was in collision with a white transit van in Netheravon, near the junction of Pigott Close last Tuesday. Sadly, she died at the scene.

In a tribute issued this week, her family describe her as someone who never turned down a party invitation and enjoyed life to the full.

She married Lt Col Walker-Brown and moved from London to Upavon in 1995 and settled into village life quickly, making lots of friends and always being a generous host.

In 2009 when her husband died aged 90, she remained in demand as a guest at parties where she was lively company and always entertaining.

She had also been a keen angler in the past and her passions included being an active member of the Milton Art Group. She would often go to art galleries and exhibitions, as well to the theatre, and loved to watch live broadcasts by the Royal Ballet at the cinema with her friends.

The tribute adds: “She was a very vibrant person with a lust for life. In spite of her good age, she was still making home improvements, planting trees and tending her garden in any weather.

“Helen was also very much at home with the younger generation – children enjoyed her company, and she played a pretty mean game of 'cheat'.

“She had an open ear to friends who may be struggling with personal problems and always dispensed sensible advice with a lovely smile.

“She was an inspiration to all, and everyone who knew her will miss her laughter, wit and wisdom.”

Funeral arrangements are still underway and will be published at a later date with details of the time and location.

The family did not want a picture of Mrs Walker-Brown to be published.

PC Philip Tatem from Wiltshire Police said: "I would like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the collision or the vehicles involved in the lead up to the incident.

"At this stage the cause of the collision is under investigation but it is believed that a vehicle may have veered into the path of the lady's car."