A TOP racehorse trainer has paid a moving tribute to his secretary after she died in a tragic car crash.

Sarah Elizabeth Lunn, 32, was the passenger in a Mercedes saloon that crashed into a fence north of Easingwold on Wednesday night.

Miss Lunn, who died from head injuries, worked as a secretary at the Thirsk-based stables of leading sprint trainer David Nicholls.

Mr Nicholls told the Evening Press that Miss Lunn "lived life to the full".

The former jockey said: "Sarah was a lovely woman - part of a really successful team. We'll all miss her terribly." Wetherby-born Miss Lunn lived in Thormanby, near Easingwold, and is believed to have been single. She had worked at Mr Nicholls' Sessay-based stables for four years.

Mr Nicholls said: "She was the secretary at the stables but she did a lot of other jobs as well. She was pretty good at whatever she turned her hand to - she was top drawer."

He said Miss Lunn's family was too distressed to speak about the crash.

An inques was yesterday opened and adjourned by eastern district coroner Michael Oakley. Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash to phone 01723 789458. Police today confirmed the Mercedes driver, arrested after the crash, was recovering at the James Cook Memorial Hospital, Middlesbrough. The man suffered a badly-injured arm and will be quizzed on recovery.

Updated: 10:50 Friday, October 10, 2003