THE devastated parents of lifelong friends Skye Mitchell and Caitlin Huddleston spoke of the bright future the pair had been set to enjoy at an inquest into their tragic deaths.

Statements describing the two 18-year-olds who met at Millom’s St James’ Primary School and were close throughout their teenage years at Millom School were read out at the hearing, held in Barrow.

The inquest had heard that both Skye and Caitlin died at the scene after being involved in a road traffic accident on the A595 near Bootle on July 14 last year as they travelled to enjoy a meal out together at the Wild Olive in Gosforth.

Sharron Huddleston, Caitlin’s mum, described her 18-year-old daughter as a kind, quiet and beautiful girl who loved being at home and had a close set of friends.

She wrote that she had been diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy as a baby, but that her determined nature had never let her disability get in her way.

“She was a very determined girl, with a lovely nature.

“She was quiet, kind, thoughtful and sensitive with a beautiful smile. She didn’t realise how beautiful she was.”

Caitlin had gone on to do business studies at Kendal College after leaving Millom School.

She had enjoyed her Saturday job in a hairdressers in Barrow and had also worked at Millom’s Beggar’s Theatre.

She loved true crime dramas and her dream job was to become a criminologist.

She had been working in a cafe - where she was nicknamed Aud, after Audrey Hepburn - while she decided what her next steps would be.

Mrs Huddleston added: “I miss our girly chats, her texts and calls.

“We were very proud that we were her parents.”

One of Caitlin’s oldest and closest friends had been Skye.

A statement was also read out on behalf of Skye’s mum, Sharon Fry.

Mrs Fry said Skye, who had become well known across the North West as a model, had been a gifted and remarkable girl who excelled at everything she did.

“Parent’s evenings were a joy. Every teacher was adamant she would achieve her goals,” she added.

“She loved the theatre, volunteering for the roles that nobody else wanted.”

Skye won a beauty pageant in Ulverston and decided to concentrate on this as a teenager, going on to win larger contests across the region including Miss Teen GB while fundraising for children’s charities.

She went on to launch an anti-bullying campaign called Labelled helped by her friend, photographer Milton Haworth, gaining international publicity.

And she later completed two weeks work experience at The Mail as part of Cumbria’s Dream Placement scheme.

Skye had enjoyed this so much she had been awarded an unconditional place at the University of Salford to study broadcast, media and journalism.

Most recently, Mrs Fry went on, she had found happiness with her boyfriend Aiden Huddleston, Caitlin’s brother.

Mrs Fry’s statement went on: “I always said she was too good for this world, nothing phased her. She was very happy, adventurous and independent.

“I would like to thank the people who were there for working so hard to try to save her.”