VALE folk have been paying tribute to the victims of the M25 motorway crash one year on from the tragedy which claimed six lives.

Victims' families are still trying to come to terms with the events which unfolded when 44-day trippers were returning home from a pre-Christmas spree in France. Their Spring's coach left the motorway and plunged down an embankment into a field.

Driver Christopher Sloane and his wife Karen, the owner of the coach firm Graham Spring, Bernard Coppin from Drakes Broughton, Norma Evans from Badsey and Jane Wedgbury from Alcester all died.

Sunday marked the first anniversary of the worst tragedy to hit the Vale for decades. Shortly after the crash Pam Spring announced the coach company's closure.

Janet Huxley, who lost her sister Norma, said: "We have been dreading the anniversary. Not a day goes by without we think of Norma. Her ashes were put in her parents grave at Badsey, and we are getting the headstone cleaned and adding her name to it."

She said last year the family had a very bad Christmas but this year they were determined to plan a better one. "Norma would have wanted it" said Mrs Huxley. Her sister Pat Beauchamp and Mrs Beauchamp's daughter Mandy were with Norma on the day, and were both were injured. Mrs Huxley said: "Mandy still won't get on a coach after all this time."

Alison Lovelady, a nursery nurse at the Noah's Ark Day Nursery in Evesham Community Hospital, had joined the trip with her daughter Clare, then aged 20.

Both suffered severe bruising. One year on, Mrs Lovelady said the crash continued to haunt her. "I have been thinking about it all week and I haven't slept. I still have back problems but they are getting better and I am trying to get on with my life."

Marjorie Sloane, the mother of driver Chris Sloane, who died along with his wife Karen, suffered a second blow last year when she learnt she had contracted cancer. She said she's proud of grandchildren Ann and Steven being cared for by friends and relatives.

Roy Spring, the father of Graham, said he had "fond and loving memories" of his son.