Tributes have been paid to a leading member of the Samaritans who died last month in a flying accident in Australia.

Susan Hill, 46, was an experienced glider pilot and spent several months a year in Australia flying a machine she had shipped out from Sussex.

She died in an accident in Benalla, a remote area of Victoria. Air accident investigators are still trying to discover the cause.

Susan, a chartered accountant who lived with her partner Brian Bateson in Nyetimber Lane, West Chiltington, was membership secretary of the Horsham Samaritans.

A former pupil of St Mary's Hall School, Brighton, she spent her childhood in Eaton Place, Kemp Town, with her two brothers.

She was one of the top pupils of her year and went straight into accountancy with the London firm Deloitte after leaving St Mary's Hall.

Her former housemistress Margaret Payne, 79, who had kept in touch with Susan, paid tribute to her former pupil.

She said: "She was a very determined girl who was very good at her work.

"I was shocked when I heard of the accident. She loved flying and the only consolation is that she died doing something she loved."

Susan's stepmother Ann Hayes, who lives in Saltdean, said: "This is a dreadful tragedy. I have been with Susan since she was five years old.

"She was a lovely girl who would do anything for others and animals. I would say she was one of life's angels.

"I did not know she was a Samaritan, but that was typical of her help to others. I will really miss her as a daughter and a friend."

A spokeswoman for Horsham Samaritans said: "Susan was an invaluable member of our branch. She played an enormous part in its running.

"She also set up our web site and was even updating it from Australia.

"We can't believe she is not with us any more."

A memorial service will be held in St Mary's Church, West Chiltington, on Saturday at 11am, following the cremation in Australia.