A MINUTE'S silence was held yesterday for a mother who died when she was trapped under her car in a school car park.

Alison Taylor, 36, was pinned down by her car when it rolled down a small embankment as she tried to start it on Tuesday morning.

The incident happened when Ms Taylor's car developed mechanical problems in the car park of Seaton Burn Community College in Dudley Lane, North Tyneside, as children arrived for class.

In a statement, acting headteacher Gerry Miller said: "This tragic accident is very distressing for the whole school and all our thoughts are with the family."