HOMELESS youngsters in Preston this week spoke with pride and admiration of the 'people's princess' who gave so many in a similar position a ray of hope.

Forgetting their own plight people staying at the Merriweather Home on Walton's Parade paid tribute to Diana and talked of dreams to one day meet her - dreams that this weekend turned to nightmares.

Student Debbie Barker, 17, who has been at the centre for five months since leaving home, said she had cried all day Sunday.

"She was so lovely, she did everything for others. She was the kind of person I would have liked to sit down and talk to. She really helped people like us who live in here."

Trainee care assistant Laurie McKenna, 17, who also lives at the Merriweather said: "What she did for people with Aids, and leprosy and the homeless was marvellous. Che changed everyone's point of view about these and so many other things."

STUDENT Fionnuala Donneelen,17, travelling home on Monday to Windsor after visiting friends, said: "We are really shocked and have lit a candle as a mark of respect.

"I will pay tribute to Diana by taking flowers to the palace."

Veronica Collins, 59, of Bamber Bridge, was taking her grandson Joe back home to London after a holiday. She said: "She was wonderful. She should be admired for the work she did."

And seven-year-old Joe said: "I'm sad. She was a nice lady."

Rob Harrison, who was on his way home to Richmond in South West London, had just heard the news from a Preston cab driver. The 17-year-old said: "She should've been left alone."

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