THE families of the two young jockeys killed in the Norton flat fire at the weekend have paid moving tributes to the two friends.

Jan Wilson, who was 19, died in the suspected arson attack at the flats in Church Street.

Her grieving parents, Drew and Margaret Wilson, described their daughter as “determined and totally fearless in the saddle.”

They said: “Jan set her heart on becoming a jockey from an early age - and wouldn’t let anybody put her off that goal.

”We had suggested she got herself a proper job and that we would buy her a horse so that she could continue her show jumping, cross-country and other equestrian events.

“But nothing could stop her from following her dream – and, although I was a little apprehensive at first, she went on to prove me wrong, and I loved every minute of it.”

Brought up on the family farm in Scotland, Jan was educated at Chapelpark Primary School and Forfar Academy, playing a leading role in community life before moving south to pursue her dream career as a jockey.

“She showed a knack for horsemanship from an early age, and soon grew in confidence, moving from jumping makeshift obstacles in a farm field to taking part in pony club events,” said her family. Later, as it became obvious her she was not going to abandon her dream of being a jockey, her parents bought her Bed Fellow, her first racehorse.

During her first race at Goodwood, the horse twice reared up in the stalls, and, as a result, Jan suffered a broken nose. But that failed to put her off and, although well down the field, she finished the race, flashing past the post despite struggling to see through her blood-splattered goggles.

She went on to twice finish fourth on Bed Fellow, also finishing runner-up in a charity race at Newcastle – on Goodnight Dick for Paul Murphy.

Jan was last in action at Newcastle on Monday prior to the blaze that was to claim her life, finishing down the field.

She was due to have ridden Imperial Sword again in the 5.45pm race at Thirsk later this month. The horse has been withdrawn in the wake of the tragedy.

A spokesman for the family of 18-year-old Jamie Kyne said: “He is, and will continue to be, a role model for us all.”

On behalf of Jamie’s mother, Madaline, his four brothers and one sister and the Cosgrove family, the spokesman said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has sent best wishes and supported her (Jamie’s mother) and her family at this most saddening time. “It is a testament to Jamie, who has been taken from us in the most heartbreaking way, that even on his passing he continues to make us all so proud of him. Why Jamie was taken from us we will never know, but an angel like him deserved a better chance of life. “He was an idol to all of us and we would like this opportunity to send our sincere condolences to Jan Wilson’s family, who are suffering like us.”