Tributes to actress and 'dancing queen' after crash

Rosa Taylor died in a collision with a lorry while driving to a theatre performance

The family and friends of a teenage performer from Lancashire who died in a car crash in Wiltshire have paid tribute to "the most beautiful person inside and out".

Rosa Taylor, 19, from Upholland, died when the car she was in collided with a lorry on A4 in Corsham last Thursday.

Wiltshire Police said Rosa - who was due to begin studying musical theatre at London's prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire in September - was on her way to perform in a production in Corsham at the time of the crash.

In a statement, her father, Gareth Taylor, said his daughter was "the very definition of a spirit that shines brightly and dies young, loved by anyone who met her".

"She was at once the most talented, most beautiful, and most loving soul I've ever known," he said.

Rosa "lived and breathed performing arts" and had played leading roles at the Artz Centre in Skelmersdale as a teenager, before going on to study musical theatre at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) Sixth Form College.

She was performing the lead role in SCRUMPTIOUS! - a production by the Lancashire-based theatre company Beggars Belief Collective, which was touring the country, at the time of her death.

The tour has since been cancelled.

A tribute to Rosa by the Collective's artistic directors was posted on the company's Instagram account.

It read: "We are sad and devastated that our dear sweet Rosa, who played 'Sylvie' in our family show 'SCRUMPTIOUS!', tragically lost her life on Thursday.

"Like the cherry tree that blossoms in Spring, her short life has brought wonder and beauty to everyone who knew her.

"We will always be grateful to you, Rosa, for the time you gave us. Your memory will continue to sing and dance in our hearts."

'Forever 19'

Rosa had also performed in productions with Liverpool Empire Youth Theatre and WOW Liverpool, as well as working as a children's party entertainer and at Briars Hall Hotel in Ormskirk.

In a social media tribute, the hotel's team said it was "truly devastated at the tragic loss of our beloved Rosa".

They said: "She was a fabulous soul who brought so much light, laughter and happiness to every person she encountered.

"We will all miss her tremendously, forever our dancing queen."

A fundraiser set up to help her family with funeral costs has raised almost £15,000.

The fundraiser's organiser, Kelly Bryant-Cunningham, described Rosa as a "shining star, so full of life and talent".

She said: "Rosa - your laughter, your kindness and your spirit will stay with us forever.

"Forever loved, forever cherished, forever 19."