THE parents of a Darlington woman killed in a road accident have said 'she was our world'.

Philippa Bertram, 20, and 22-year-old Rebecca Ward both died after the white Fiat 500 they were travelling in collided with a MINI Cooper on the A628 Woodhead Pass road, South Yorkshire Police said.

The accident, on one of the main routes over the Pennines, happened during hazardous weather conditions.

The force added that the incident happened at around 1.30pm on Saturday, when Storm Deirdre was starting to sweep over the high ground between Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire.

The families of the two women, who were both students at Nottingham Trent University, paid emotional tributes to them on Wednesday.

The parents of Miss Bertram, of Darlington, said: "She was our world and our joy and we were so proud of her, but our lives have been shattered by what has happened."

The family of Miss Ward, from Worcester, said: "Becky was a beautiful girl both inside and out who enjoyed life to the full.

"Becky will be greatly missed by her family, boyfriend and many friends."

It is reported that another woman also in the car was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but has since been discharged.

A man and woman in the MINI Cooper escaped without serious injuries.