SHE was the life and soul of every party and dreamed of becoming a teacher.

The family of 18-year-old Vicky Waters, who died when a coach carrying 39 schoolchildren collided with her car on the notorious A32, have today spoken of a life cut short but filled with fun.

Vicky was driving a white Ford Fiesta on Friday with close friends Christina Corp, 17, from the Swanmore area, who remains in a critical condition in Southampton General Hospital's Neurological Department and Kimberly Hood, 17, from the Bishop's Waltham area who has been released from hospital.

Vicky's mum Jackie Waters said that when a taxi driver told her about the horrific accident she somehow knew that her daughter was involved.

The mother of two of Mayles Lane, Wickham said: "As soon as the driver mentioned it I just knew it was Vicky. All the way home I prayed that it wasn't her and that she was OK but when I got back and the police were outside my worst fears came true.

"Words can't explain just how upset I am. It hasn't really sunk in yet. I'm in shock."

Vicky's sister Debbie had been out celebrating her 20th birthday with her sister in a Swanmore pub only the night before.

The hairdresser, speaking from her home in Lower Chase Road, Swanmore, said: "It was the last time I saw her. We had a fantastic evening and at the end of the night we walked out of the pub and had a kiss. It was really sisterly and I'll always remember it.

"She was fun, bubbly, outgoing, lively and the soul of every party. She was always out with her friends and had lots of them.

"The response we've got from people has been overwhelming. I didn't know so many people thought so highly of her."

Vicky was studying in the first year of a two-year child care course at Fareham College and planned to be a teacher.

For ten years she and her sister had lived with their foster family, Paul and Linda Tucker and the Tucker's five children in Lower Chase Road, after her father died. But she always remained close to her biological mother.

Surgeons operated on Vicky when she was 13 months old to correct a hole in her heart.

Jackie said: "I didn't know if she would pull through but I went to see her in intensive care and she was trying to pull the tubes out of her, I knew then that she was strong willed! She really was so full of life."

Jackie plans to campaign for new speed restrictions on the A32 where scores of lives have been lost.

"I want to stop this happening to another family."