A FARMER'S wife who was killed after being struck by a van was picking up litter just yards from her home, her devastated husband said last night.

Irene Stephenson, 57, died on Thursday afternoon when she was hit by a blue Vauxhall van on the A67 between Gainford and Piercebridge, near Darlington.

The van then veered into a car on the other side of the road, killing passenger Sarah Thompson, 88, of Meadowfield Road, Darlington.

Last night, Mrs Stephenson's husband, Peter, said she had been tidying up the grass verge close to their home, which is set back from the A67.

"She couldn't stand litter," he said. "She had gone out to tidy up. She was a hard-working, home-making person.

"Nothing was ever any trouble to her, she got on and did it."

He said his wife was "very much a family-orientated lady", with a love of horses. She regularly helped out with a local riding club for the disabled. "She would help anybody," he added.

The couple's daughter, who lives in Switzerland, was due to arrive back at the family home last night. Their son was travelling back from Australia.

Villagers in Piercebridge spoke of their shock at the double tragedy yesterday.

Postmaster Jeffrey Turner said: "People have been really shocked. The family are well-known round here. There just seems to be no reason for it to have happened."

Elizabeth Rogerson, of Ivy Cottage, described the Stephensons as "a lovely couple".

She said: "They have lived here all their lives. It's just as if someone up there says 'they are too happy'. She did not deserve that.

"The village is just absolutely shocked and stunned because they are a really nice family who have lived here a long time."

A neighbour of Mrs Thompson said: "She has gone through life a lovely lady and for this to happen to her at the age of 88, it is awful. I am shocked at the moment."

Her daughter is believed to be the driver of the car and is in Darlington Memorial Hospital with a broken ankle and collarbone.

The van driver is being treated there for chest injuries.

Durham Police are investigating the cause of the crash. Witnesses are asked to call 0191-375 2159.