A PRIEST today paid tribute to a parishioner, killed in a road accident moments after leaving a church trip.

Barbara Berry, 69, of Cherry Crescent, Rawtenstall, had stepped off a coach in Rawtenstall and was helping a friend across the road when she was hit by a car.

The incident happened at 4.45pm on Wednesday when she was crossing Burnley Road, near the junction of Elm Street.

She was hit by an oncoming vehicle and suffered multiple injuries.

Sgt Colin Hudson, of the Road Policing Unit, said: "Mrs Berry was attempting to help her friend across the road by waving her hands in the air to try and stop the traffic.

"She was struck by an oncoming vehicle. Paramedics took her to Burnley General Hospital where she died at around 10pm as a result of her injuries."

Mrs Berry had just returned from a church trip to Whalley Abbey with other parishioners from St James the Less when the incident happened.

Father David Lupton, of St James the Less, said Mrs Berry had attended the church for many years and was a well-known member of the community.

He had been at the hospital with another parishioner when the incident happened and was able to read Mrs Berry the last rites.

Father Lupton went on: "I don't know exactly how long Mrs Berry had been coming to the church but it was many years and she also attended our school.

"She was a lovely lady and we are all deeply shocked and upset by what happened.

"She always helped others and will be very sadly missed by a lot of people."

The road was blocked for two hours, bringing rush hour traffic to a standstill.

Mrs Berry's funeral will take place at St James the Less on Friday at 9am.