LOOE is today preparing for the joint funeral of two local teenagers who were best friends, and who tragically died together in an horrific accident last Thursday evening.

The eighteen year olds, Jacqueline Mitchell and Lianne Dodge, were travelling back to Looe after visiting Liskeard, when their Ford Ka saloon was in collision with a 25 tonne grain lorry. The accident happened on the B3251 Liskeard to Looe road, just past a bend at Horningtops and about a mile from the main A38. There has been a constant stream of people to the scene, laying flowers and soft toys in their memory. The 33 year old lorry driver, Kevin Matthews of Launceston, has had to be treated for shock.

Hundreds of mourners are expected to attend the 2pm funeral service at St Martin's Parish Church, to be conducted by the rector, Rev Brian McQuillen. There will be family flowers only and donations are for the church. The girls are to be laid to rest in the churchyard, next to one another.

There is also to be a special memorial service this morning at Looe Community School where Jacqueline and Lianne were both pupils. Head teacher Helga Turner described them as lovely girls, who were prefects and very responsible.

'Their main trait was not just that they were friendly in a fun loving way, but that they were supportive and worked well alongside a large group of friends.'

Mrs Turner said they were interested in sport and good healthy lifestyles which they pursued outside the school. She said their brothers and sisters had also gone through the school, so the families were well known to them. Mrs Turner will be attending the funeral along with other staff members.

The girls also attended Liskeard 6th Form, Lianne leaving this summer after taking her A levels, and Jacqueline leaving earlier to start a job at C L's Diner in Fore Street, Looe.

Mr John Batey, head of the 6th Form, said both girls were highly thought of and were popular with a wide circle of friends. 'A huge shock wave went through the college when we heard the news' he said, 'and there is a very heavy atmosphere everywhere. Friday was a particularly awful day in the 6th Form Common Room'.

Mr Batey said that his deputy head, Janie Craig, had felt the tragedy very badly as she had been the girls' tutor. They are both to attend the funeral along with many of the students. 'They will be remembered with much affection' he said.

Lianne's boyfriend, Mark Ussher from Liskeard, who is a University student in Cheltenham, and is said to be distraught, is being comforted by his family.

Also at the funeral representing Looe town will be the mayor and mayoress Ron and Pat Overd. 'This is a tragic and sad loss of life for two young girls on the threshold of womanhood' he said. 'The tragedy has had a sobering effect on Looe'.

Jacqueline and Lianne first met 10 years ago on the Sunrising Estate, Barbican, where they both lived and became friendly right away. They were from well known Looe families and their parents say they were always in and out of each others homes.

'They clicked from the start' said Lianne's mother, Virginia. 'The only comfort we have is that it was so sudden that they never knew what had happened. They will always be together, side by side'.