The family of a woman who died following a crash near Hitchin have paid tribute to her.

Tara Kitson was driving her blue Ford Fiesta at 2.53pm on the A505 on Friday, when for reasons unknown at this time, her car collided with a parked Mercedes Sprinter van.

The 28-year-old from Baldock was working at Luton-based company SELEX, where she was being sponsored to study a Masters degree at University College London.

She moved to the area from Kent, having studied at the University in Kent in Canterbury.

Miss Kitson’s father David said: “We were so proud of her achievement in gaining her degree, which she studied on a part-time basis whilst working at BAE Systems. She was very studious and was half way through completing her Masters.

“She loved her work. She was the only person I knew who loved going to work and loved her colleagues. She was a highly self-motivated, positive person.

“Tara was very close to her brother Craig, and although the three of us lived apart we would always take time to meet up every couple of weeks to see each other.

“Tara was a very generous-hearted person. It goes without saying that she had a full life ahead of her. She was such a lovely person and we will miss her dearly.”

Her mother Barbara Walker added: “Tara was a thoughtful and sweet daughter.”

Miss Kitson was born in Canterbury Hospital in 1985 and grew up in Faversham.

After leaving school, she achieved a HND in electronic engineering, for which she was awarded a distinction.

She and her 30-year-old brother Craig bought a flat together in Sittingbourne and during this time she worked for BAE Systems, who sponsored her to study a degree in electronics and computer systems engineering at the University of Kent in Canterbury.

She graduated with a first class honours degree.

Miss Kitson moved to the area when talking up a job in Luton.

She enjoyed reading in her spare time, and would also meet regularly with her friend at weekends to play Mahjong. She would also take the time to meet her mother in London for a meal and to see a show.

• Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information about the incident is asked to contact PC Bob Hauxwell, crash investigator with the Road Policing Unit based at Hitchin police station on 101.