TRIBUTES have been paid to a 'well known' and 'generous member' of a South Lakeland village who tragically died after she was struck by a car.

Doreen Fell, of Backbarrow, sustained fatal injuries when she was in collision with a black Honda Civic travelling eastbound on the A590 last Wednesday night.

Despite the efforts of passing motorists, off duty police officers and North West Ambulance Service paramedics, all of whom administered first aid, Mrs Fell was pronounced dead at the scene.

An active member of the Backbarrow community, the 76-year-old had been a regular attendee of the village's Hebron Hall Church on Browedge Road .

Pastor Gordon Eggleton said that she enjoyed singing hymns, always attended coffee mornings and had been going to the church from when she was a young girl at Sunday school.

"She was a lovely woman," Mr Eggleton said. "She was always very smart and very generous and a superb confectionist. She made our golden wedding cake and would not take anything for it.

"She was really invaluable at the parish council because she had such a lot of local knowledge. If you wanted to know about the footpath or who had lived where, Doreen was the one to ask.

"Doreen was just part of the community. We will miss her very much."

Mrs Fell had worked for many years as caretaker at Leven Valley CE Primary School, Backbarrow, as had her mother before her. A spokesperson for the school described her as 'devoted' and 'proud' of the school.

Sue Sanderson, a neighbour and Backbarrow and Haverthwaite parish councillor, said that Mrs Fell was a 'well known character' in the village.

Cllr Sanderson told the Gazette that Mrs Fell had been a parish councillor as well as a trustee for the Brow Edge Foundation, which provides grants to those looking to go on to further education.

"She was a really hard working member of our community for all of her life," she said. "She always cared very much about the village and it's very, very sad."

Winesses to the accident are asked to contact PC2456 Ross White or Sgt1929 Martin Bainbridge of the Mobile Support Group on 101.