TRIBUTES have been paid to a "bubbly, kind and generous" student who died following an accident on the notorious A140.Alisa Biddlecombe died after her Vauxhall Nova was in collision with a Mitsubishi Spacewagon on the A140 at Thornham Magna on Saturday.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a "bubbly, kind and generous" student who died following an accident on the notorious A140.

Alisa Biddlecombe died after her Vauxhall Nova was in collision with a Mitsubishi Spacewagon on the A140 at Thornham Magna on Saturday.

The 22-year-old, of Park Avenue, Castle Cary, was freed from her wrecked car by firefighters and then airlifted to Ipswich Hospital, where she later died.

Miss Biddlecombe, away from home for the first time, had been studying for an arts degree at the University of East Anglia in Norwich.

Her former teachers at Ansford Community School, in Castle Cary, Somerset, where she grew up today spoke of their shock at the news.

Lorna Martin said: "Everyone who taught her, including myself, remembers her and she really left her mark.

"She was an incredibly popular pupil and we have been inundated with calls from people wanting to talk about what happened. She was warm, bubbly, kind and such a generous person. Our thoughts are with her family at this time."

Another teacher Steve Craggs, who knew Miss Biddlecombe throughout her school life, said: "She was a super child and much loved by everyone. I was devastated when I heard the news. It was such a shock.

"She was always bright and always cheerful but also a shoulder to cry on for many of the children. I knew her right the way through school and she always stood out. I just cannot believe it."

Headteacher Robert Benzie is currently writing to parents to inform them of the tragedy.

Her funeral is being held on Tuesday and is being conducted by the Rev John Pescod.

He said: "I was very sad to hear the news and have been giving my support to the family.

"It is always a terrible tragedy to lose someone in any circumstances but to lose them in such a way and so young is terrible.

"It has come as a shock to everybody and the family has been starting to try and come to terms with the tragedy."

The A140, which has now claimed 80 victims in 21 years, is the subject of an ongoing campaign by The Evening Star and its sister paper in Norwich to make it safer.