The distraught parents of a teenager killed in a road accident have spoken of their "precious" daughter who had a smile for everyone.

Eighteen-year-old Adele Joanne Barnes died after a Citroen Saxo, in which she was a front-seat passenger, collided with a lamppost on the A650 Drighlington bypass near Gildersome roundabout at about 2.50am on Friday.

The male driver of the car was treated for minor injuries at Dewsbury and District Hospital.

Police are investigating the crash.

Adele's dad Michael, 50, said: "We are completely gutted. She was the best daughter anyone could have - she was a lovely kid with loads of friends.

"It has been unbelievable how many cards, flowers and tributes we've had - almost 100 cards. It goes to show how popular she was.

"The accident scene is covered in tributes, flowers, teddies and cards.

"She always had a nice smile on her face and loved going out dancing with her friends.

"The flag is flying at half-mast at the Conservative Club where I am treasurer and Adele was a member."

Mr Barnes and his wife Lynne were on holiday on the Costa del Sol in Spain when the accident happened. The tragic news was broken to them by their holiday-company reps a day before they were due to return home.

Mrs Barnes, 49, said: "When Adele was born, we said she looked like a Precious - that was my maiden name - and she was precious.

"Since we came home, the house has never been empty - there have been nine or ten people here all the time.

"And every time we've been past the accident site, there's been somebody there leaving flowers or tributes. That's how popular she was."

Adele, of Moorside Avenue, Drighlington, attended Bruntcliffe High School in Morley.

She had worked at BHS in Leeds before moving to work at ANC Distribution in Whitehall Road, Leeds, as a clerical assistant a few months ago.

She had one sister, Stephanie, 15.

A Bradford Bulls season-ticket holder, Adele ranked brothers Robbie and Henry Paul among her favourite players.

She was a keen horserider since the age of four and had a horse, Maggie, at stables in Drighlington.

She was learning to drive and waiting to take her test in November.

Mr Barnes thanked Adele's family and friends for their cards, thoughts and messages.

A police spokesman said an inquest into Adele's death would be opened and adjourned in Leeds tomorrow.

Her funeral is expected to be held next week at St Paul's Church in Drighlington.