CAVER Nicola Dollimore's tragic death may save other lives, thanks to a new communications system being developed in her memory.

Nicola, 30, a Liverpool University lecturer, perished along with a Hungarian potholer when freak flooding struck in one of the world's deepest caves, in France.

Nicola, from Rossendale, died from head injuries despite a desperate battle by friend and fellow member of The Oxford University Caving Society, William Stead, to save her, last July.

The idea for "Systeme Nicola" was born soon after Nicola died, when her family and friends decided they wanted to do something positive in her memory.

It works through rock using a type of morse system and is designed to operate from cave to surface and vice versa.

About £3,500 has been raised to help fund the project. Nicola's mum Mrs Sue Dollimore of Sizehouse Village, Haslingden, said plans for the system were announced at Nicola's funeral.

She said: "Caving was her great love. We decided we needed to do something positive.

"The system is currently being trialled and the more money that can be raised, the more likely it is that something will be established and the greater possibility that it will be used in this country as well as abroad."

Nicola's memory will also live on through a series of caves in South Wales, which has been named The Dollimore System after her.

Anyone wanting to donate money to Systeme Nicola can do so, to The Nicola Dollimore Cave Rescue Fund, account number: 1326760, sort number: 309374, at Lloyds Bank, Guildford.

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