THE two 18-year-olds killed in a crash last night have been formally identified by police.

Skye Olivia Mitchell, from Millom, and Caitlin Lydia Huddleston, from The Green, Millom, died last night when their car, a green Toyota Yaris, collided with a white Ford Transit Connect van.

Both women were pronounced dead at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.

Miss Mitchell's family paid tribute to her following the accident, saying: "Skye was a popular, kind, caring girl who raised money for various charities. She made the most of her 18 years, embracing every opportunity that came her way.

"She was a pupil at Millom School and excelled in science, technology, engineering and maths. She loved animals, especially dogs. She loved make-up, shoes and dresses. She organised a fashion show to raise money for one of her favourite charities, The Children's Variety Club, and also completed a sponsored abseil for them.

"She was a hard-working girl, having part-time jobs at Curry Spice and the Furness Building Society in Millom, and had recently started a summer job at the La'al Ratty, which she loved.

"She appeared on national TV two years ago when she headed up an anti-bullying campaign, something she was passionate about.

"She made the world a better place and Skye's world was a wonderful world to be in. She will be very sadly missed by mam Sharon Fry, dad Ian Mitchell, step-mam Margo, sisters Candice and Millie, her grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, boyfriend Aidan and her many, many friends who all loved her dearly. They will all miss the daily hugs she gave them."

The 18-year-old had recently completed her A Levels and was due to study broadcast journalism at Salford University's Media City Campus in September.

A Millom Carnival Queen in 2012, she went on to win the Junior Miss South Lakes title, coming third in the Junior Miss Great Britain contest and winning the Junior Miss North West title in 2014. She was due to enter the Miss Cumbria competition later this year.

Cumbria Police confirm specially trained officers are supporting the families at this time.

Police were called at 7.55pm on Friday July 14 following the accident on the A595 at Bootle.

A back seat passenger, also 18, was flown by air ambulance to Preston Royal Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.

The 51-year-old local driver of the van was taken to Liverpool's Aintree Hospital by air ambulance, where his condition remains serious but stable.

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison paid tribute to those involved in the fatal crash last night.

She said: "It's a dreadful shock to our community and a desperately sad day with the loss of two bright, beautiful, and ambitious young women.

"It is important that their personalities are remembered. Millom is a close knit community, shocked and saddened, but I know the whole town will rally round and support the families and friends.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends and the two in hospital, and hopefully they make a full, quick recovery.

"Thanks must go to the emergency services once again for their quick response to the accident and the air ambulance which was used to take the two injured to hospitals across the country."

Any witnesses to the collision are asked to contact Cumbria Police on 101, quoting log number 230 of July 14.