THE devastated family of a woman who was knocked down and killed while walking her dog today spoke of their love for a wife, mum and grandma.

Lynda Walters, 56, died following the crash involving a car driven by an 18-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, close to her home in Burnley Road, Bacup, on Friday night.

A second woman was also struck by the yellow Citroen

Saxo, which has been impounded at a garage pending forensic investigation.

Samantha Thompson, 26, of Holmes Lane, was in a stable condition at Burnley General Hospital today with cuts and a broken arm.

Lynda and husband Jeff had only recently moved into the area and Lynda was walking her dog, as she did each night, when she was hit by the car.

The couple's beloved pet Sammy survived the accident despite severe injuries and is providing some comfort for Jeff.

Jeff said: "Lynda was a keen gardener and loved the area and the people who have always been polite and talkative towards her.

"I am devastated and Lynda and will be greatly missed by her loving daughters Dawn, Hazel and Gina and her only grandson Luke, who is seven months old.

"She was a much-loved wife, mum and grandma."

Traffic police were today continuing to piece together the events which led to the death.

The driver of the car was spoken to by police at the scene but was not arrested. He will be interviewed at length following the police investigation into the crash.

Police said the car was travelling along Burnley Road from Weir towards Bacup when it appeared to lose control at a stretch of road known as Broad Clough Bends and veer across the road.

Sergeant Russ Gregory, of Colne Road Policing Unit, said: "The investigation is ongoing and we are appealing for anybody who may have seen the accident or the vehicle before the collision who could tell us the manner of driving.

"We have spoken to the driver and will speak to him again once we have finished our investigation and we will decide what action to take, if any, when that happens."