TRIBUTES have been paid to three friends who died in a late-night crash on a notorious road.

Jessica Foxley, 21, her boyfriend Tom Petty, 25, and friend and a father-of-two Philip Wright, 25 had been returning from a wedding when their Blue Ford Focus collided with a wall in Skipton Old Road, Colne, late on Saturday.

Jessica Foxley

Jessica’s mum and dad, Margaret and Paul, spoke of how much their daughter had packed into her short life.

She said: “What can you say about Jessica?

"When she let you get a word in edgeways – bright, beautiful and charming.

“She was always such a great person to talk to and brought such comfort to many others.

"Jess loved people, young and old, as well as animals, and was always full of zest, sparkle and a real enthusiast.

“We have come to realise in the past 24 hours that unlike some, who may live into their 80s without much occurring in their lives, Jessica certainly packed a huge amount into her short 21 years.

"Her love of music and drama, especially singing, demonstrated how she always wanted to make others happy and entertained.

“She was determined to be a professional singer and she was well on the way to achieving that.

“We are quite certain that given more time she would have gone on to achieve her goal and had been very pleased to observe the way which Tom continually encouraged and supported her.

"Our thoughts are with his family and Phil’s too.”

Jessica, who won a drama student of the year prize at Westholme School in Blackburn when she studied there, was an aspiring singer-songwriter.

On her Facebook and MySpace pages and a talent-spotting website, www.starnow.co.uk/jfox, Jessica said she was following her dreams singing and was determined to give it a go as a career so, “I can say I tried and have no regrets”.

She said: “I desperately want to make singing my career as I know it would be the only job I would truly enjoy.”

Jessica also played the piano and cello, had recorded a song for a Sky advertisement to be shown later this year and began to write her own lyrics, with two of her songs to be played on Radio 2 in the New Year.

Her father Paul said: “She lived for her singing, that was her real love."

Lillian Croston, headteacher at Westholme School, Blackburn, where Jessica had previously been a student, said: “We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragedy.

"Jessica was a lovely young woman who contributed to Westholme life in every possible way.

“She was very talented, bright and popular.”

Jessica worked at the Colne Muni box office for two-and-a-half-years.

Philip Wright

Philip’s parents, Jane and Darryl, said their son was a kind-hearted person who could only see the best in people.

They said in a statement: “He cared deeply for his friends and family.

"He was a loving son and brother and leaves behind two beautiful children.

“We will forever love and miss him and our hearts go out to the families of Tom and Jess.

"May they all rest in peace together.”

Philip, father of three-year-old Chloe and one-year-old Finley, worked for Pendle Leisure Trust at Colne Muni as bar manager, and worked for the trust for almost three years.

Tom Petty

Tom’s friend Laura Walsh, 25, laid flowers at the scene.

She said: “He was such a good friend to everyone who knew him and always knew how to make everyone smile. Nobody had a bad word to say about him.”

Samantha Atkinson, who works at the sports centre, said: “I am so shocked I just can’t believe it.

"I was only sat with Tom on Friday laughing and joking about going on holiday.

“He was so laid back and happy. I am so sad that he is not here any more.”

Lyn Surgeon, principal, of Nelson and Colne College, where Tom had studied public services and Philip studied catering, said: “During their time at college, they were popular young men, who worked hard at their studies.”

Tom, the front seat passenger, was a retained firefighter at Colne station and had also worked at Pendle Leisure Centre for seven years, formerly as a lifeguard and then relief manager.

Chief Fire Officer Peter Holland broke the news of Tom’s death to fellow firefighters in an email.

He said: “I know that you will join me in feeling great sorrow about this news.”