Newsreader Carol Barnes has told of her heart-break at the death of her daughter in a skydiving accident.

Tributes were pouring in today from friends and loved ones of Clare, 24, who died in Australia when her parachute failed to open at 14,000ft.

Carol, who lives at Brighton Marina, was preparing to fly to Melbourne with Clare's father, Europe minister Denis MacShane.

They described how Clare and her boyfriend kissed as they fell through the sky together, moments before tragedy stuck.

Early investigations suggest Clare's emergency parachute became entangled with the main chute. She struggled to untangle the lines but died as she hit the ground.

In a statement, the family said: "She died as she lived, living at the edge of experience in a sport that gave her immense pleasure.

"After she jumped from the plane she kissed her boyfriend. They flew together in the blue skies of Australia where she found happiness. Her parachutes malfunctioned and she fought to control her fall all the way to the final, instant oblivion. She will live forever in the memory of her parents, family and friends."

Clare's brother James, who runs a record shop in North Laine, will join her parents in flying to Melbourne to arrange the funeral.

Clare was born during a long- term relationship between Carol and Mr MacShane in the late Seventies and early Eighties. Both went on to marry other people.

Clare, a former pupil of Brighton College, was an active competition jumper and had been a member of the Skydive City club for two years. She had fallen in love with Australia and planned to settle there with her boyfriend.

Friends said she was attempting a "nine-way formation" over an area known as Barwon Heads, south-west of Melbourne, at around 4pm local time on Sunday (5am GMT).

Club representative Luke McWilliam said: "It's a huge loss. She was much loved by everyone. She was a very positive person, a brilliant person. We are all in shock."

He said the club would be closed for "a number of days" while everyone dealt with the loss. Club members plan a memorial service.

An investigation into the incident will be conducted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Australian Skydiving Association, and a report will be prepared by police for the coroner.

As a teenager, Clare wrote an article in the Daily Mail describing the familiar battles between a mother and a strong-minded daughter.

She said she smoked from the age of 13 and used to come home smelling of smoke but blaming it on other people. She wrote: "I think after a while she just realised, like she does with most stuff, that I'm going to do it anyway so she may as well just accept it."

Friends of Carol were shocked and saddened.

Newsreader Nick Owen said: "Carol and I have worked together and been friends for more than 20 years. I know how proud she was of Clare and what a super daughter she was. The two were soulmates."

Media commentator Roy Green-slade said: "It's devastating news - a tragedy. She was a much loved child."

Brighton businesswoman Sue Addis is a friend of Carol and helped found the Pink Dolphin Appeal, of which Carol is a patron.

She said: "My heart goes out to Carol. As a mother, I cannot imagine how it must feel to lose a child. Our thoughts are with her."

David Courtney, who set up the Walk of Fame at Brighton Marina, said: "I first met Clare when Carol brought her to the launch in October 2002. She was a lovely girl who charmed everyone. When Carol and Clare were together they were like sisters.

"It is a great tragedy. Carol must be devastated."

Dr Anthony Seldon, who became head of Brighton College two years after Clare left, said: "All at Brighton College are desperately sorry to hear this tragic news about our former pupil."

Hove MP Ivor Caplin said: "I'm sure everyone across the city will be extremely sad to hear of the loss they have suffered."