FRIENDS of a 14-year-old girl who died tragically following a road crash have banded together to stage a kareoke night - to raise cash for her gravestone.

Nicola Wiggins died in hospital ten days after the crash on a road between Stanley and Chester-le-Street.

She was buried after a packed service held in St Peter's in Sacriston last week.

Close friend Alan Cooper, 19, said her parents were not in a financial position to pay for a gravestone.

Alan, of Tantobie, near Stanley, who looked after Nicola's pet lizard when she could no longer keep it in her house, said: "She was such a lovely person and liked by everybody. Her death came as a shock to everyone.

"Her parents are unable to afford the gravestone and we would like to help them. We feel it will be a fitting tribute to her."

The event will be held in the Red Lion in Chester-le-Street, from 7pm-11pm on September 27. Entrance is £2 for adults and £1 for children with a raffle included. A free buffet will be provided, courtesy of Tanfield Catering, with Ultimate Events providing the disco and kareoke.

Alan, who is being helped by Michael Natrass to organise the event, said any money left over would be given to the Big Issue, in recognition of the concern Nicola showed for the less fortunate.

Alan said: "Whenever she saw someone worse off than her she tried to help them."

Her 16-year-old sister Deonne recalled how Nicola, of West Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, had befriended a homeless man.

Deonne said: "She met this man with a dog and used to take him cups of tea whenever she saw him."

Nicola is also survived by her parents June and Tony, brothers Paul, 20, Anthony, 17, and 12-year-old sister Rachel.

Police are still investigating the crash which happened just 200 yards from the High Handenhold fire station at about 6.15pm on August 16.

The male driver of the Ford Escort in which Nicola was travelling was taken to the University Hospital in Durham with minor injuries, but was later released.

The male driver of the Citroen Xantia that crashed with the car on a turn-off from the A693 was also taken to hospital and later released.