TRIBUTES have been paid to a 57-year-old woman who was killed in a crash this week on the M5 near Cullompton.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash – involving a car and a lorry – just after 12.10pm on Tuesday.

The collision involved a lorry and a silver-coloured Vauxhall Omega about a mile before Junction 28 Cullompton.

The car driver was pronounced dead at the scene. She has been named locally as Jan Johnstone, of Halberton, who had run the village’s post office with her husband until it closed several years ago.

The lorry driver, a 64-year-old man from Cardiff, was arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving. He was taken to Heavitree Road police station where he was interviewed before being released on police bail until April 22.

The M5 northbound between Junction 29 Exeter and Junction 28 Cullompton was closed immediately after the collision. Although the third lane reopened at 3pm, the rest of the carriageway remained shut for seven hours while the police investigation unit carried out a specialist forensic examination of the scene.

A police spokesman said: “Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call police on 101 – quoting reference 265 of January 27.”

Firefighters from Danes Castle and Middlemoor attended the scene.

Mrs Johnstone was a member of Halberton Parish Council.

The council’s chairman Ken Browse said: “The village and parish of Halberton is shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of Jan Johnstone and the thoughts and prayers of the community are with Dick, her husband, and their family.

“For several years Dick and Jan ran the Halberton Post Office, which was at that time a focal point in the community.

“Jan worked tirelessly for many organisations, including the parish council, the village hall, the parish newsletter and the luncheon club.

“She was a driver and visitor for the local Caring Friends group and would always go the extra mile to help anyone in need. She will be greatly missed by many people.”