An accident in which a mother-of-four died was caused by "excessive speed and harsh steering", an inquest was told.

Anna Stilwell (60) died instantly when a car struck her from behind as she was walking towards a postbox near her home in Well House Lane, Headbourne Worthy, near Winchester.

Anthony Appleby (20), of Shipton Bellinger, near Tidworth, lost control of his Citroen Saxo on a bend and it hit a kerb before mounting an embankment and rolling onto Mrs Stilwell, the inquest at Winchester heard.

Vehicle examiner, Alan Price, said Mr Appleby, who had since been convicted of driving without due care and attention, had lost control of the car because of "excessive speed and overly-harsh steering".

Recording a verdict of accidental death, deputy coroner, Simon Burge, said: "We are dealing with the loss of a cherished mother and wife and we should all take that into account."

In a statement issued after the hearing, Mrs Stilwell's family said: "In a moment of reckless stupidity, a wonderful person's life was ended and a family was devastated; in that moment, our lives changed for ever.

"Nothing can change the outcome and we hope that the person responsible will realise the gravity of his recklessness for ever."

After the September 17th accident, 460 villagers signed a petition calling for the 40mph limit at Well House Lane to be reduced to 30.