THE family of a teenager who died when she was hit by a police van in Prestwich have paid tribute to her.

Laura Melvin, aged 18, of Marston Close, Whitefield, was struck by the van at 11.10pm on Saturday, October 23, in Bury New Road, near the Red Lion pub.

The fully-signed police van was responding to an emergency call and had its lights and sirens on. It subsequently collided with a Vauxhall Astra. Laura was taken to the North Manchester General Hospital with head injuries. She was later transferred to the Royal Oldham Hospital where she died on Tuesday October 26 2004.

Her mother, Karen, father, Paul, and brother, Liam, aged 12, led the tributes. Mum Karen said: "Laura was a fun loving girl who enjoyed life. She had found herself a lovely boyfriend who made her happy and they where both looking forward to a holiday in Cyprus that they had booked."

Officers are interested in speaking to a man and a woman with long hair who were seen walking near to the Red Lion pub at the time of the incident.

Telephone 0161 856 3572 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with any information.