A DRIVER killed in a crash was a Mini fanatic who had driven the same type of car for 28 years, her husband said today.

Rita Bull, 54, from Padiham, was driving the car when it was involved in an accident with a Ford Mondeo in Rossendale Road, Burnley, at the junction with Coal Clough Lane.

Her husband Jim, a car salesman with Caledonia Alfa Romeo, Copy Nook, Blackburn, said: "We had been together for 28 years and she had been driving Minis ever since. She got the Mayfair in 1991 and loved the car. She would not drive anything else."

Mrs Bull died at the crash scene. It is thought she was returning to work when she came out of the junction and was involved in the collision with the Mondeo, which was travelling up the hill towards the Manchester Road lights.

She had worked as a packer for the last 11 years at DT Packaging, Farrington Road on the Rossendale Road industrial estate, close to where the tragedy happened.

Mr Bull said: "She was a homely girl who did not want to go out much. She would come home from work and enjoy television, especially the soaps. She used to worry about me flying from Blackpool and taking charter trips to the TT races. Now this happens. I am devastated."

Mrs Bull had one daughter, Dionne, 26, and one grandson -- her "pride and joy" Aiden -- who was one last week.

Dionne added: "At least she was able to enjoy Aiden's birthday before she was taken from us."

She also had three stepchildren and seven step grandchildren. Police have appealed for witnesses to the accident, which happened at about 12.30pm on Friday. Anyone with information is asked to contact the road traffic unit at Colne on 01282 472431.