FRIENDS and work colleagues said their own poignant farewell to tragic cyclist Lorraine Rowson, who was hit by a lorry in Gornal, by holding a balloon release in her honour.

The popular care worker, aged 50, from Dudley, died at the scene of the horrific crash at the junction of Burton Road and Eve Lane on August 8 and her funeral was held at Amblecote Christian Centre and Gornal Wood Crematorium on August 28.

Colleagues at Prestwood Community Care based in Cobden Street, Wollaston, where Lorraine had worked as a community carer for around five years, were left devastated by her untimely death and decided to stage a balloon release at Prestwood House to remember her last Thursday (September 4).

Care manager Tina Harris said: "We've been absolutely distraught. It's heartbreaking."

Friend and colleague Debbie Ferris added: "Once you'd met her she was a friend for life. She was a beautiful, beautiful person with a heart of gold."

She said the married mum-of-one used to take dinner round to an elderly client every Christmas Day, in her own time, as she knew he had no-one to spend the festivities with - such was her kindness to others.

Prestwood care staff have also been raising money in Lorraine's memory - and have collected in around £500 for canine charities Ruff Luck Rescue and K9 Tenerife, as Lorraine was a keen animal lover and had adopted a rescue dog herself a few years ago.