GRANDMOTHER Patricia Hudson has been named as the driver who lost her life in a horrific crash on a busy North Yorkshire road.

The 74-year-old from Kingfisher Drive, Pickering, died at the scene of the crash which left her two granddaughters injured.

Four-year-old Poppy Hudson, who was in the front passenger seat, was in a critical condition today, while her sister Holly, six, was stable and improving.

Mrs Hudson was driving a maroon Ford Ka, which was in collision with a Land Rover Freelander on the A170 between Pickering and Thornton-le-Dale.

Poppy, who lives in Pickering with her family, was taken by air ambulance to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough with "very serious" injuries. Holly, a rear seat passenger, was today "improving" in Scarborough Hospital.

The 64-year-old male driver of the Freelander, who was recovering from recent heart surgery, received minor injuries.

Sgt Paul Moon, the investigating officer, said experts had spent the day examining the vehicles. He renewed his appeal for witnesses to come forward.

He said: "We have a few witnesses, but yet a large line of traffic must have driven round the vehicles immediately after the crash."

Neighbours in Kingfisher Drive today paid tribute to Mrs Hudson, a widower who lived with her son. One resident said she was a "very nice woman".

Coun Julie Hepworth, deputy mayor of Pickering, said: "The family has our complete sympathy. It is a tragedy. The town is grieving for them."

Father Bill East, parish priest of St Joseph's Church, in Pickering, said: "I am very sorry to hear of her death and I'm sure any parishioner of mine would be very sad that someone would come to her end in that way."

Updated: 10:07 Wednesday, August 03, 2005