THE parents of Leanne Davies, who died in a collision at Longhope last Friday (May 31), have paid tribute to her.

Paul and Heather Davies said Leanne, who lived with them and her brothers Luke, 14, and Mitch, 11, at the family home in Lydbrook, was "beautiful, bubbly and kind" and someone who would "do anything for anyone."

An 18-year-old man from Drybrook has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in connection with a serious collision in Longhope last week.

The silver Vauxhall Corsa was travelling from Longhope towards Huntley when it left the road and collided with a wall next to the War Memorial.

Passenger Leanne, aged 19, died in the collision. A 19-year-old man from Coleford, who was driving, remains in Frenchay Hospital with serious injuries.

The arrested man has been bailed to attend Gloucester police station on September 17, pending further inquiries.

Mrs Davies said: "Leanne told people her dad was her protector and her mum was her best friend.

"I feel like I took her for granted now. If I needed a loaf of bread she would say: 'It's okay mum I'll get it'. If her brother needed picking up from fishing she would offer to get him.

"It's difficult. We miss her so much. You can't explain because no one can understand. She would text me every day. I keep waiting for another text to come through even though I know it won't."

Paul, who works as a lorry driver, said: "I am away a lot because of my job but I knew she would always be there to give me a big hug when I came back in.

"I just want people to know how much she was loved and will be missed. I want her to know that. She had so much to look forward to. Life will be never the same."

Leanne attended Lydbrook Primary School, Lakers School and Wyedean Sixth Form where she had just completed the first year of her apprenticeship as a hairdresser at The Beauty Spot salon in Coleford.

Mrs Davies said Leanne originally considered training to become a midwife but was really enjoying her new career path.

"She always loved doing stuff with her hair – she had a different haircut every week."

"She just said: 'I fancy doing something like that' and when she started doing it she absolutely loved it.

"She fitted in perfectly at the salon and they loved her. They're all devastated," Mrs Davies said.

The salon is already collecting donations for a tribute to Leanne and Leanne's dance club in Lydney is planning to dedicate their next show to her.

Last Monday (June 4) more than 100 people let go of balloons and laid flowers close to the site of the crash in Longhope.

"It was a lovely thing. I know she would have been looking down on us. It's nice. It shows how much people care.

"A lot of people we lost touch with are getting back in contact. The phone hasn't stopped ringing.

"All the messages are keeping us going. You don't realise the sheer amount of people she knew. Everybody's devastated," Mrs Davies said.

Mr Davies also paid tribute to the paramedics and members of the public who were at the scene.

"I'd just like to thanks everybody who tried to help Leanne at the scene and thanks to friends and family who have been so supportive," he said.