TRIBUTES have been paid to a young doctor from the New Forest who died in a car accident on Tuesday.

Dr Emma Louise Chambers, 26, lived at Riverside Place, Fordingbridge, and worked as a senior house officer in the orthopaedic unit at Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester.

She died in her white Peugeot 106 when it was involved in a four-vehicle collision on the A354 at Thorncombe, just south of Blandford.

Dorset County Hospital spokesman, Anna Jenkins, said: "Dr Chambers was respected by all her colleagues and all who knew her.

"Everybody here is absolutely devastated. Our thoughts are with her partner and family at this very sad time."

And the hospital's consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Ian Barlow, added: "Emma's tragic death has deprived us at of a wonderful colleague. She was training to be a GP and had already proved to be a major asset to the hospital. Her warmth and enthusiasm had impressed us all.

"Emma was a very talented young doctor who was well liked by staff and patients alike. "We are left with a huge sense of loss and extend our deepest sympathy to Emma's family and boyfriend."

Dr Chambers, who originally came from Reading and studied at Southampton University, had worked at the orthopaedic unit since August, having moved from the paediatric department where she had been since February.

She had set up home in Fordingbridge with her partner Daniel Craddock just five weeks ago.

Her father Bob said: "She was a lovely girl, who was looking forward to a brilliant future."

The other vehicles involved in the accident, which happened at around 5.44pm on Tuesday, were a Ford Transit van driven by a 21-year-old man from West Dorset, a Renault Espace driven by a 35-year-old Wiltshire man and a Mercedes driven by a 44-year-old local woman. All three suffered minor injuries and were taken to Poole Hospital for treatment.

Dr Chambers' funeral will take place on Friday at 2pm. She will be buried at Fordingbridge cemetery in Stuckton Road.

Dorset County Hospital has opened a book of condolence for Dr Chambers.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact PC John Haywood of Dorset police on 01305 251 212.