TRIBUTES have been paid to a Bredenbury woman killed in a car accident on her way to give a friend a lift to church.

Hilary Cannon was driving to Bromyard on the A44 on Sunday morning when her car, a grey Honda Concerto, left the road.

Mrs Cannon, 63, was taken to Hereford County Hospital but was dead on arrival.

Her son, Mel Gwinnett, said his mother had died while doing something to help a friend, which summed up her life.

"She'd drop anything to help anyone. In this busy modern world she was that rare thing, a person who had time for everyone," said Mr Gwinnett.

Mrs Cannon grew up at Hambridge Farm, near Martley, and went to St Mary's Convent School in Mountbattenhall, Worcester.

She married farmer Michael Gwinnett in 1961 and had two sons, Mel, 42, a former professional footballer, and Paul, 40, now a detective with West Midlands Police.

She divorced and married her second husband, David Cannon, in 1985 and moved to Bredenbury.

Over the years she worked in a number of different jobs, including manager of a Granada TV rental shop, for a car parts firm, Ortlinghaus, in Worcester and as a care home assistant.

Mrs Cannon had a very busy life. An active member of Bredenbury Church, she was chairman of Bredenbury WI and enjoyed playing tennis and fundraising for the church and various charities. She was also one of the country's top rabbit breeders.

The Rev. Chris Fletcher, vicar at Bredenbury, said: "She led a very busy and fulfilling life serving the community and the church in so many ways. We will miss her immensely."

Mel said she had been a wonderful mother, who had supported him unstintingly in his early footballing career, driving him to practices, trials and matches.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be made. Bredenbury Church may be too small for the number of people expected to attend.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the crash to call PC Martin Brown on 08457 444888.