THE father of Amy Barsby, a Ribble Valley pilot who fell to her death in a glider crash, remembered his “delightful and brave” daughter during a tearful memorial service.

Steven Barsby spoke affectionately of his 25-year-old daughter during the hour-long service in Christ Church in Longridge on Friday.

Mr Barsby said the death of the former Clitheroe Grammar School pupil had been “tragic and sudden” and had “touched many people all over the world.”

He said: “She was dearly and completely loved.

“She was never afraid to stand up and be counted and her family was crucially important to her.

“Her sister Lorna has described her as a friend, a role model, a playmate and a shoulder to cry on.”

Mr Barsby recalled Amy’s love of “taking a walk on the wild side” and how her friends had bought her a white water rafting experience for her 18th birthday with her parents getting her a helicopter ride for her 21st.

He said: “She was someone who worked hard and really enjoyed sports be it climbing, gliding or skiing.

“She was always keen to try most things and she also enjoyed an eclectic mix of music and arts.

“Whenever we were on holiday in Ireland she would find delight in finding things on the beach – she was someone who was easily pleased and who loved the outdoors.”

Amy died when the wings fell off her glider during the Inter-University Gliding Competition in Bicester, Oxfordshire, on August 8.

The former Longridge High School pupil, who had 10 years' flying experience, died from multiple injuries.

She was a silver grade pilot joined the cadet scheme at Bowland Forest Gliding Club aged 16.

The service was followed by a reception at the Alston Arms, Inglewhite Road, Longridge.