The family of Tracey Watts, who died in a road crash on 12 May, 2008, aged 39, have paid tribute to a woman with a 'heart of gold'.

Mrs Watts died in a collision near Mickleton in Gloucestershire. Her parents, Wendy and Terry Moore, run Mickleton Post Office and shop.

She was the baby of the close-knit family, the youngest sister of Jackie, 41, and Debbie, 42, and her 'surrogate' sister Hanora.

She delivered papers and managed the fruit and vegetables in the bustling High Street shop, at the heart of the village. The whole community was plunged into shock by her sudden death.

She was married in 2006 to Kevin, whom she'd known for eight years. It would have been her anniversary in August, as well as her birthday on 18 May.

She had taken on three stepchildren, Holly, 15, Sally, 13, and Harry, nine.

Sister Jackie, with whom she shared a room as a child and 'fought like cat and dog' with, said: "She had a heart of gold, she was generous, kind and thoughtful – she was also a fiery little Leo.

"She wouldn't hold back, you always knew her mood as she wore her heart on her sleeve. If she wanted to speak her mind, she would and she wouldn't suffer fools gladly."

Her mum said: "She was very loving, always wanted to be near her family and loved it. We all enjoyed each other's company and had lots of gatherings.

"Tracey was brought up a townie in Middlesex, but came here when she was 22 and took to the countryside.

"She came to work for us because her father was ill and she knew she was going to be our right-hand man."

Dedicated Mrs Watts would be at work at 6.30am six days a week. She'd mark up the newspapers and deliver to Mickleton and Ebrington – she was returning when her Citroen Berlingo Estate was involved in a collision with a Rover at the Hidcote Boyce and Ebrington crossroads at 7.20am on 12 May.

She would also pick up fruit and vegetables from Drinkwaters at Ebrington, help her dad make up the order and deliver it – all before breakfast.

Her sister Jackie said: "She'd tell customers what they wanted and do deliveries for any little old lady who'd ask. She knew everybody's name and everyone knew her."

Mrs Watts was also survived by three nieces, Amy, 10, Jessica, 17, and Laura, 11.