VILLAGERS in Little Somerford have paid tribute to pub landlady Emma Burton, who they described as a vibrant presence in the village.

Ms Burton, who ran the Somerford Arms with her partner Paul Holmes, was fatally injured when a Porsche in which she was travelling collided with a lorry in Box on Friday.

Villagers have laid floral tributes at the door of the pub and a book of condolence has been set up in St John the Baptist Church in the village.

The Somerford Arms, formerly known as the Saladin Inn, has been a thriving business since its reopening in 2012 having been bought by a group of five villagers to prevent it being turned into houses.

The owners and friends of the Somerford Arms said: “Emma has been a vibrant presence in the village for the past three years and we are saddened by her passing.

“She will be greatly missed not only as a business colleague but also as a friend. Our thoughts are with Paul, Emma's parents and their families at this time.”

Chairman of Little Somerford Parish Council Tony Pauley added: “Emma had a wonderful personality, was warm and friendly, always greeted you with a smile and was so imaginative with the way the pub was decorated.

“At Halloween it was an amazing transformation of the pub into an amazing location for a party.

“I think it’s fair to say within months of arriving Emma and Paul were part of the village and the Somerford Arms was the major focal point which was, from the village’s point of view, a wonderful situation.

“She was extremely professional, she ran the pub very well, the staff were always well trained and the beers and the food were outstanding."

A post on the pub’s Facebook page stating that the Somerford Arms would be closed for a period following the sad losshas received more than 150 comments.

One, from Caroline Hughes-Miles, read: “Just devastating and she will be missed so much. What an energetic, enigmatic, driven, popular, caring, vibrant, beautiful and talented lady.”

Police have said that two Porsche cars were travelling just after 7.30pm along the A4 from Bathford towards Box and as one of the sports cars negotiated the S-bend at the Box Bridge it collided with a lorry coming in the opposite direction.

The male driver was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath with suspected broken ribs and a head injury.

The A4 Bath Road was closed from the junction with the B363 Bathford to Box for seven hours.

Police have appealed for witnesses. PC 1355 Tate is leading the inquiry and can be contacted on 101 at the Avon and Somerset Constabulary.