TRIBUTES have been paid to a special needs teaching assistant who worked at a school in Ventnor for 13 years.

Mother-of-two, Anne Kerr, died at the scene of a road traffic accident alongside a 14-year-old boy in a horrific school bus crash in Lancashire on January 8.

Anne, 50, of from Southport, spent more than a decade at the charitable special needs institution, St Catherine's School, in Grove Road, Ventnor.

She was described as 'instrumental' to the school's work experience programme by its current principal, Rachel Weldon, and will be missed by many who knew her on the Island.

Ms Weldon said: "St Catherine's is devastated by the news.

"Anne worked with us as a teaching assistant for over 13 years. "In addition, her son was a student at the school.

"She was a very special lady, who would do anything for anybody. She was hugely respected by the staff and trustees and students adored her.

"She was instrumental in setting up work experience placements for our students on the Island, so was also well known by a number of businesses.

"Many staff have stayed in contact with her since her move back to Southport in the summer of 2014. She will be sorely missed by many people.

"Our thoughts and sympathies also go out to her current school, Pontville School [in Ormskirk]."

The incident happened on the M58, near Skelmersdale.

The victims had been travelling in a minibus which was involved in the crash with an HGV and a number of other vehicles at about 9am.

Police released a statement from her family which said: "Anne was much loved by all who knew her. She will be deeply missed by all her friends and family.

“She was a daughter, wife, and mum to two lovely boys. She was a lovely personality to be around. Her death has left us all heartbroken.”

A 31-year-old man from Chorley was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was taken to custody for questioning, but later released while enquiries continued.