A PRESTWICH pub has paid tribute to a teenager who died after being in collision with a police van answering a 999 call.

Laura Melvin (18) was killed in Bury New Road, Prestwich, last October after spending the evening at the Red Lion pub.

As reported in the Guide, Laura's parents, Karen and Paul Melvin, who are separated, have launched a campaign for the introduction of accident recording devices to police vehicles.

The incident is under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the Melvins believe the "black boxes" would highlight exactly what happens in an incident of this kind.

Landlady of the Red Lion, Mandy Kay, was not on duty on the evening of the accident but decided to hold a fundraising event in Laura's memory and erect a commemorative plaque in honour of the teenager.

She said: "A lot of Laura's friends come in the pub and play on the pool table so we thought it would be nice to erect the plaque near the table in the vault.

"The pub was the last place Laura was in before she died and I just kept thinking how I would feel if it was my child who was killed."

Mandy contacted local businesses in Prestwich who donated prizes for a raffle and her regulars were only too happy to join in and take part in an auction and other fund-raising activities.

She added: "Everyone pulled together and raised just over £1,000 for Laura's family."

The cheque was handed over to Mrs Melvin this week, who overcame her grief to visit the pub where Laura had spent her last few hours.

Mrs Melvin, of Marston Close, Whitefield, thanked the Red Lion, local businesses and Laura's cousin, Philip Yarvey, who had donated a computer from Link Computers Ltd.

She said: "Many of our family and friends came to support the event for which we are truly grateful. We were touched by their kindness and appreciated all their generosity. Although we felt much sadness, the evening went well and was most enjoyable."