GRIEF-STRICKEN parents didn't believe the nightmare news that their "little princess" and her boyfriend had been killed in a horrific crash.

Rebecca Grant, 19 from Lilford Street, Atherton, and Richard Allen, from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, died instantly on Sunday afternoon in a two-car crash on a notorious north country road in Hexham -- six weeks before they were due to get engaged - on Rebecca's July 6 birthday.

Now, as they make funeral preparations, her devastated parents Carole and Joe Grant say the memories of their "little princess" will never die.

At the Howe Bridge village family home, Rebecca's mum tearfully recalled the moment she heard the tragic news.

"We thought it was a sick joke at first, but then we phoned Richard's mum who said she had just been to see the bodies." she said.

"The last few days have been a blur. We were like sisters. We were very much alike. Her brothers worshipped her and they relied on each other for everything."

And Rebecca's gran Joyce Leigh simply said: "She was my jewel."

Carole, 37, said: "She was a fun-loving girl who had everything to live for. She was beautiful with her life in front of her - she was our princess. It is tragic. God only takes the good ones.

"She enjoyed going to clubs and being with her friends and her family. We all miss her."

And Joe, 39, told the Journal: "She was so full of life and enjoyed it to the full. She had lots and lots of friends and there is not one person who has got a bad word for her. She will be in our hearts forever."

Car driver and friend of the couple Richard Scott, 21, of Gateshead, also died in the horror crash which occurred when their Nissan Micra and a Peugeot 306 were in collision on a blind summit of the A68 at 3pm.

The accident brings the road's death toll to 23 since 1997.

Rebecca, who had been a popular student at Hesketh Fletcher High School, had just gained an NVQ in Office Studies. She was visiting Richard in Gateshead and it is thought the crash came just hours before they planned to head south to her Atherton home.

Rebecca leaves two brothers, Turn to Page 3, (Col1) From Page 1 Lee, 16 and Daniel, 10.

Police are investigating the crash and an inquest will be opened.

Rebecca will be buried on Monday after a funeral service at St George's Church in Atherton.

The couple's special song, Atomic Kitten's hit 'Whole Again' will be played.

Joe added: "They were very close." FUN LOVING: Rebecca Grant was killed in a horror crash that claimed the life of her boyfriend and another friend SO CLOSE: Rebecca Grant, fromAtherton, and Richard Allen, from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, who were killed on Sunday