FRIENDS, family and work colleagues of a woman tragically killed in a freak accident have planted a wood in her memory.

Paige Richardson, 36, and her best friend, Annette Kinnear, also 36, were drowned at Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire in November, 1999.

The pair were amongst a group of friends enjoying a short break when they were swept into the North Sea in the early hours of the morning while letting off fireworks on the beach.

Now, Paige's former work colleagues at Leeds paper merchants Antalis, formerly Wiggins Teape, and friends and family have joined with the Yorkshire Millennium Trust to plant a small wood in memory of the Otley woman.

The five acre wood, of almost 3,000 indigenous trees, was originally expected to be planted in February last year, but was put off because of restrictions imposed following the outbreak of the foot and mouth disease across the country.

But following the lifting of restrictions in January this year, the wood, containing oak, ash, holly, bid cherry, hazel and others, was planted at Hebden, near Grassington.

Paige's father, Brian Richardson, of Kelcliffe Lane, Guiseley, said a collection had been made at his daughter's funeral for the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

The trust runs a scheme where individuals can sponsor trees in memory of people who have died.

"Her work colleagues got in touch with the trust and established there were enough donations to plant a wood."

A trip was then made to the Yorkshire Dales to look at possible sites before one was chosen at Hebden.

Mr Richardson said: "We think it is a terrific scheme and as a memorial to our daughter we wanted to do something to promote the work of the trust.

"We would like to thank all those involved in the scheme in planting a living memory for future generations to enjoy," he said.