Two 18-year-olds killed in Cumbria road crash named

Ms Mitchell was the driver and Ms Huddleston the front seat passenger in a Toyota Yaris which was in collision with a Ford Transit Connect van on the A595 near the village of Bootle.

A third 18-year-old local woman who was the back seat passenger remains in a critical condition after she was flown by air ambulance to Royal Preston Hospital.

The 51-year-old local male driver of the van was flown by air ambulance to Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool, where his condition is said to be serious but stable.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision, which occurred at about 7.55pm between the green Toyota travelling from the Millom direction and the white van travelling in the opposite direction.

In a tribute, Ms Mitchell's family said: "Skye was a popular, kind, caring girl who raised money for various charities. She made the most of her 18 years, embracing every opportunity that came her way.

"Skye made the world a better place and Skye's world was a wonderful world to be in.

"Skye will be very sadly missed by her mam Sharon Fry, dad Ian Mitchell, step-mam Margo, sisters Candice and Millie, her grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, boyfriend Aidan and her many, many friends who all loved her dearly.

"They will all miss the daily hugs she gave them."

The youngster had recently completed her A-levels and was looking forward to studying broadcast journalism at the University of Salford later this year.

Ms Mitchell won the Junior Miss North West title in 2014 and a year later launched an anti-bullying campaign after she was bullied over her looks when she was younger. She released a photograph of herself with the numerous taunts she had received written on her face.

Her family said she was "passionate" about the campaign, which featured in national media.

The teenager retained close links with her former school, Millom School, and had compered its annual awards ceremony for the last three years.