TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved Post Office worker who died after being hit by a car on a busy main road.

Jean Morton, 68, was crossing Brunshaw Road, Burnley on her way home from work when she was struck by a black Ford Focus.

The mum-of-two suffered serious head injuries and died the following morning at Royal Preston Hospital.

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Family and friends said she would be sorely missed by many while one local councillor described her as a ‘lovely lady’.

Floral tributes had been left at the scene, close to the Spar shop at the Brownside Road roundabout as a mark of respect yesterday.

Police have also launched an investigation into the accident, which happened at 5.50pm on Friday and led to the busy main road being closed fro around two hours.

Ms Morton, who worked at Pike Hill Post Office in Brownside Road, left behind daughters Victoria and Rachel, two grandsons and a sister, Jennifer.

Cousin Jean Haffner said: “We were very close and I had only spoken to her two hours before it happened.

“She was very family oriented and a very pleasant and well-liked person.”

Born and bred in Burnley, Ms Morton lived in Halifax Road, having moved from Buttermere Road in Worsthorne a year ago.

She had previously worked at Parliament Street Post Office for eight years, alongside owner Linda Pounder.

Mrs Pounder said: “I have known Jean for 25 years, from St Stephen’s Church, and then her children started coming to St Stephen’s Players, when I was the chairwoman.

“She did the costumes for us and we became friends.

“She really became an integral part of the society.

“I took on Parliament Street Post Office in 2000 and I asked her to work with me and we worked very harmoniously together.

“Jean was always there for me and she was a lovely lady.

“She will be very sadly missed by everyone.”

Cliviger with Worsthorne councillor David Heginbotham said Ms Morton was very well respected.

He said: “She was a lovely lady who was very highly regarded by lots of people in this area.

“She worked at the Post Office for a long time and I think she probably knew more of the customers than the owners.

“It is a real tragedy.”

Sgt John Jennings-Wharton from the Road Policing Unit said the accident was currently under investigation.

He said: “This is a tragic incident and specialist officers are with the woman’s family and our thoughts are with them.

“An investigation to establish the circumstances of the collision is already under way and I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information about what happened to contact us.”

Anyone with any information about the accident can contact police on 101 quoting log number 1144 of December 19.