A school has had to bring in counsellors to help devastated students and staff come to terms with their grief after a former pupil died when her car plunged into a canal.

Tributes have poured in for Sarah Woolmer, 19, and Larissa Moore, 18, both from Skipton, who were killed when their green Peugeot 206 crashed through metal railings along Broughton Road and into the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

They were heading away from Skipton when the car went into the water at Niffany Corner sometime on Monday night.

A passer-by only discovered the car on its roof, submerged in the water, the following morning.

Former Skipton Girls High School pupil Sarah, of Hurrs Road, was described as a "model student" by her former headteacher Jan Renou, who said staff and students were still in shock at the news.

She said: "It is utterly, utterly tragic, we are devastated here. Some of the sixth form girls have gone home and the staff are in tears.

"It has hit us very hard. We have the school nurses and the health team coming in to run an assessment of the staff and students."

She added: "Sarah was one of our top students and we will be remembering her somehow when everyone comes to terms with the shock."

A Leeds University history student, Sarah also worked part-time at Rackhams in Skipton, working in the ladies' accessories department.

Five hundred people have already joined a Facebook group set up in her memory and scores of online tributes have described a bubbly and fun-loving girl.

Mark Waddington, 18, lived on the same street as Sarah and went to nursery and primary schools with her. He said: "She was such a lovely person. I can't think of anyone who had a bad word to say about her.

"She went to the girls' school and I went to the comprehensive but we used to see each other on the walk home. She would always say hello and always have time for you."

Mr Waddington, a professional magician of Hurrs Road, said he last saw Sarah at Easter in Skipton's Strata nightclub, where she was "bubbly and up and dancing".

He said he was devastated by news of the crash, adding: "You hear about these things happening but you never think it will happen to one of your friends. When it does, it really hurts."

Larissa was a former pupil at Skipton's Aireville School in Gargrave Road.

The school's assistant head said: "She was a tremendous, warm and friendly student who was always willing to give her time to support others around her.

"She was of a sunny disposition and will be fondly remembered for her work with the Prince's Trust group that ran in school."

Floral tributes to "Larissa and Sarah" today marked the accident spot. One of the cards read: "I can't believe you are gone, you will be deeply missed."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who saw the car being driven before the collision should contact Traffic Constable Mark Tiffany on 0845 606247 ext 3726.