EMPLOYERS today paid tribute to a woman who was killed in a horror road accident.

Nichola Snowden, 32, of Williams Road, Burnley, died in hospital two hours after she was involved in an accident in Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, at 1.13am on Sunday.

She was a passenger in a Rover 418 which collided with a black cab.

Fire crews worked with paramedics to free Nichola, who was trapped by her legs against the dashboard.

Nichola had worked at the newly-built Crow Wood leisure, raquet and equestrian centre just off the M65 since it opened last year.

Bosses said she had become very popular with colleagues and with members and was getting ready to celebrate the centre's first birthday in December.

Director Ron Sykes said: "It is a terrible shame. We are a relatively small workforce here. so we all knew Nichola.

"She was very a popular girl with all the staff and members here at Crow Wood and was very friendly and good at her job.

"She has been with us since first we opened last year and has got to know people very well during her time working behind the bar and as lounge staff.

"I have spoken to her mother and expressed our sympathies to her and the family.

"The staff would like to attend the funeral to show their respect and we would like to send a representative from Crow Wood."

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the Rover, which was travelling towards Accrington, between the railway bridge on the border of Church and Oswaldtwistle and Church traffic lights.

Anyone with any information should call Accrington police on 01254 353467.

The 21-year-old driver of the Rover was arrested and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

He and the taxi driver, Mohammed Shafiq, 47, of Spring View, Accrington, were treated for minor injuries.