TRIBUTES have been paid to a “gentle, kind and generous” school matron killed in a collision while cycling in North Dorset.

Elizabeth Potter, 60, died on the A30 Salisbury Road at the county’s border with Wiltshire after a crash involving a blue Honda at around 5.30pm on Saturday, August 15.

A Vauxhall Panel van is also believed to have been involved and a 22-year-old man was arrested in connection with the crash. He was subsequently released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Miss Potter was head of care at Knighton House School in Durweston.

Headmistress Sarah Wicks said the school had been left “deeply saddened” by the death.

“Miss Potter has been at the heart of our school family for nine years,” she said.

“She devoted her life to caring for other people’s children, first as a nanny and then in charge of the main boarding house at the school.

“She looked after the children in her care with great love, sharing their joys and triumphs as well as helping them through difficult times.

"Elizabeth was the most gentle, kind, generous and warm-hearted person, someone to rely on, with a mischievous sense of fun and a legendary love of all things chocolate. Her passion for gardening will be remembered by many - most of the staff here have at least one plant grown by her from a seed or cutting.

"Elizabeth had a profound and positive impact on the lives of hundreds of children and is described by old girls and parents as a second mother to a generation of Knighton girls.

"We are privileged to have worked and lived alongside her and to have called her our friend and colleague. She will be greatly missed.”

A statement released by Miss Potter’s family said: "Elizabeth’s family, her many friends, the families for whom she worked and their children she had brought up and loved as their nanny, and the children and staff at Knighton House School, her kindly and caring neighbours and local people who knew her will all miss her warmth, her wicked sense of humour, her presence and her loyal friendship."

Her family said Miss Potter, who lived in Shaftesbury, was a keen cyclist, walker and photographer.

"She loved to explore the country and places of interest with her mother in the summer holidays,” the statement said.

"Elizabeth’s newest great-nephew was born just two days after she died. She had been so excited to meet him and had been counting down the days until he was born.”

A file on Miss Potter’s death is now being prepared on behalf of HM Coroner for Wiltshire.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact PC Will Ayres of Wiltshire Police on 101 or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.