THE devastated parents of Sarah Lunn, who died in a North Yorkshire car crash, have paid tribute to a "wonderful daughter".

Sarah, 32, was the passenger in a Mercedes saloon that crashed into a fence north of Easingwold on Wednesday, October 8. She was killed instantly.

Her parents, Geoff and Jackie Lunn, of Cedar Covert, Wetherby, said Sarah, who was secretary and personal assistant to top racehorse trainer, David Nicholls, was "a breath of fresh air".

A former pupil of St John Fisher RC High School in Harrogate, Sarah was passionate about horseracing. When she was offered a job working with Mr Nicholls at his Thirsk-based stables four years ago, it was her dream come true.

She moved to Thormanby, near Easingwold, from Wetherby to be nearer work, and lived just across the field from the stables.

"It was a job made in heaven for Sarah. She always had a love for horses and rode for years when she was a kid," said Mrs Lunn.

She said Sarah had been going for a curry with friends, including Mr Nicholls, when she was killed. Her boss, who was following the Mercedes in his car, was so upset by her death that he stopped his horses racing at York last Saturday in memory of her.

"She was larger than life. She lit up a room when she came into it and she had a wicked sense of humour," she said. "She crammed practically 100 years of life into 32. When Sarah came to see us it was like all one's birthdays had come at once."

She said Sarah had always been close to them and her two brothers, Nick, 35, and Matthew, who tragically died last year aged 25.

Mrs Lunn, 61, said: "It is unbelievable. I still don't think the news has sunk in.

"We are absolutely devastated. We loved her to bits. She was a star."

Mr Lunn, 65, said Sarah was very professional and had lots of friends throughout the racing industry.

He said they had heard from many people throughout the country who said they loved and missed Sarah and had regarded her as a member of their own family.

Updated: 10:32 Friday, October 17, 2003