TRIBUTES were this week paid to a former South Tawton School pupil who was killed in the Paddington to Plymouth rail crash on Saturday.

Emily Webster, 14, a pupil at the independent Maynard School in Exeter, lived with her family in Doccombe, near Moretonhampstead, having moved there from Belstone a few years ago.

She had been travelling home from a day out to London with a school friend on the 5.35pm train from Paddington.

Mrs Ann Boyce, deputy head of Maynard School, said Emily was a very popular girl who had lots of friends and was a highly independent and exceptionally

talented girl.

?Emily, who joined the school in Year Seven, had a huge sense of fun and she will be sorely missed by all her teachers and her friends.

?The school has been devastated by this news and our deepest sympathy and prayers are with Emily?s family and friends at this very sad time,? she said.

All the girls in Emily?s year group were told the news by their teachers and at the same time the remaining senior pupils were gathered together to be told about Emily.

?The girls are naturally shocked and very upset by Emily?s death and the school is ensuring that the pupils get the support that they need at this very difficult time,? Mrs Boyce said.

The friend Emily was travelling with was injured but was said to be making good progress in hospital.

Dr Daphne West, headmistress of Maynard School, was also on the train, returning from a conference. She suffered minor head injuries.

The day before the crash, Emily had taken part in the Sticklepath Fireshow.

Hilary Gillespie, artistic director of the fireshow, said: ?We are all deeply saddened to hear of Emily?s death and would like to send our love and sympathy to Emily?s family and friends.

?Emily had performed in the fireshow for a number of years and she will be greatly missed.?