TRIBUTES have been paid to a devoted wife who died this week after being in collision with a car driven by her 89-year-old husband.

Eileen and Harvey Dipper, of Wassail Close, Carhampton, had celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary only weeks before the tragedy last Sunday.

The couple had left St George's Church in neighbouring Dunster after a morning service drawing together all the churches in the local benefice shortly before the accident happened.

Mrs Dipper, 84, was airlifted to Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital after being freed by firefighters from Williton, Minehead and Taunton who were called to the scene of the collision in St George's Street at about 11.30am.

But despite attempts by paramedics and medical staff to save her, she was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Mr Dipper, who was driving the couple's Renault Clio, was also taken to hospital but a spokesman for the Avon and Somerset police said he was not seriously injured.

The couple had retired to the village more than 20 years ago, after living around the world.

They have a son in Kent and a daughter in Australia who is believed to have only recently returned home after family celebrations for the couple's milestone wedding anniversary.

Shocked friends and villagers spoke warmly of the couple's devotion and the affection felt for them locally.

Greta Thrush told the Free Press: "They were a lovely couple, very much respected.

"It's a terrible shock to everyone."

Mrs Dipper, a grandmother, was a regular churchgoer and a former member of the St John the Baptist parochial church council in Carhampton.

Until recently she had also been involved with the benefice's Zambian link group.

Alison Mothersdale, a lay reader and member of the local ministry team, described Mrs Dipper, whom she had known for the last ten years, as a lovely lady.

"She was always so supportive of the church and took the time to come to fundraising events when she could," she said.

"She had only just stepped down from the Zambian link group but she still gave her support.

"They were such a devoted couple and we are all very shocked. It's so very tragic."

The Rev Michael Allso, assistant priest to the Dunster Benefice, helped to take last Sunday's service and gave communion to the couple.

"They came forward hand in hand," he said. "We handed out candles to everyone and they said they would light theirs at home together.

"They were devoted."

An inquest into Mrs Dipper's death was opened by West Somerset coroner Michael Rose on Tuesday and adjourned until a later date.

The funeral service will take place at St John the Baptist Church at 11am on February 16 and relatives have asked for family flowers only.

But donations can be made to Mrs Dipper's local church via Hedley Price Funeral Directors at Mart Road, Minehead.