A WOMAN was killed when her car was swept away by a fast-flowing flooded river.

Suzanne Smith, of Hawkbatch, near Bewdley, is thought to have drowned after hitting difficulties while crossing the Rea, near the Worcestershire-Shropshire border. It is believed that 36-year-old Ms Smith knew the ford well.

A canoeist found the 36-year-old's company director's body trapped in her Land Rover a quarter-of-a-mile downstream from a ford at Neen Savage, near Cleobury Mortimer.

"Suzanne was a talented, successful and popular woman. Everyone who knew her will be trying to come to terms with what is a huge loss," said her brother, Richard Smith.

"Suzanne lived life to the full and did more in hers that lots of people ever do," added Mr Smith's wife, Shadia.

Miss Smith was pronounced dead at the scene, on Sunday, before being taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Warning signs have been erected at the ford while the river remains flooded.

"The matter is still an ongoing investigation but at this stage we believe it is a tragic accident in which the vehicle was swept downstream by the torrent of water, trapping the driver," said a police spokesman.

Born in Kidderminster, Miss Smith attended Far Forest Primary School, near Bewdley, and Bewdley High School before gaining a law degree at Wolverhampton Law School.

After travelling the world she returned home and ran the Horse and Jockey pub, in Far Forest, from 1999 to 2003 with Mr and Mrs Smith.

She left the pub in April last year to become a director with an event management company she set up with Mr Smith.

Detectives have appealed for anyone who saw Miss Smith's Land Rover before or after about 1.15am on Sunday to come forwards. Anyone with information can contact police on 08457 444888.

A flood warning from the Environment Agency remains in place on the River Severn between Bevere and Powick.