HUNDREDS of tributes have been paid to "popular girl" and "special friend" Samantha Derbyshire, the special constable from Bolton who died in a collision on the M61.

The 23-year-old, known to friends as Sam, lived with her family in Horwich and was killed in the tragic accident on Monday morning.

Ms Derbyshire worked as a civilian call handler for Greater Manchester Police and was a special constable serving with the Bolton division who was due to start as a regular police officer in the coming months.

Her death has prompted a huge outpouring of grief from family, friends and current and former work colleagues who praised her commitment and caring character.

Her sister Jennifer Derbyshire posted on Facebook: "I would just like to say a huge Thank You for everyone's kind words regarding the tragic loss of Sam Derbyshire.

"There will always be a hole that no one else can ever fill. I will continue to love and miss her every single day."

Until she left to join GMP, Ms Derbyshire - who went to St Joseph's RC High School in Horwich - had worked at Starbucks, Middlebrook Leisure and Retail Park for five years.

Shashi Mahatma, store manager, said: "It was a shock. A lot of our customers have been crying.

"Sam was fantastic. She was full of energy when she was working.

"She always had a helping nature and she was one of the best supervisors ever.

"She had always wanted to be a police officer. She was doing shifts here and shifts as a special constable.

"Then she got the opportunity to get into the police as a crime recorder and then as a call handler.

"Just before I went on holiday she came into the store and said: 'There were vacancies for police officers and I applied for a position and I have already passed my first stage and I'm going for the second one.'

"I said that was fantastic and she said: 'When I come back next I may have got the job.'"

Mr Mahatma said Ms Derbyshire worked at one of the coffee shop's Liverpool branches while she studied at university.

Blackrod resident Jacob Makinson became close friends with the 23-year-old after they met while working at Starbucks three years ago.

He said: "She was always hard working and her dedication was unbelievable.

"She couldn't wait to leave Starbucks. The only thing she ever wanted is to join the police.

"Her experience with dealing with people and the interaction with the public at Starbucks helped her as a special constable.

"She would finish her shift at 10pm, go home, quickly eat and put on her uniform and complete a specials shift until 2am.

"And she was a fitness fanatic and was always in the gym to get fit for the police role.

"She was an outgoing person. She always made sure she had time for her friends and to catch up with you if she hadn't seen your for a while.

"We're all devastated."

Ms Derbyshire attended St Joseph's RC High School in Horwich and PE teachers Avril Bath and Kim Harris said: "We had the great honour and pleasure of knowing and teaching Samantha during her five years at the school.

"Samantha will be so fondly remembered for her energetic love of life, her passion for sport and her great involvement in the life of the school. 

"Our love and thoughts are with all of Samantha’s family at his very sad time."

Jill Mottram, a teacher of food technology, said: "Samantha was a lovely, clever and talented pupil.  "Samantha enjoyed food technology and with her great friend both laughed their way through the GCSE course and gained great success."

Police continue to investigate the fatal collision that happened while Ms Derbyshire was travelling home having finished her shift as a call handler at 3am.

Her Ford Fiesta struck the central reservation beside the outside lane of the northbound M61 between Junctions 4 and 5 at 3.30am and was left stranded.

She got out of the vehicle to examine the damage and was struck and killed by a HGV.

Once the news emerged of the tragedy, tributes to the 23-year-old flooded social media from across Bolton and beyond.

'Our fun loving daughter' — tributes to Bolton special constable Samantha Derbyshire killed after being hit by HGV 

She began as a special constable in January 2015 and left the coffee chain for her desk job at GMP in the latter half of last year.

Hundreds of people shared simple images of her collar number - 40938 - and her civilian employee number - 70136 - in tribute to Samantha.

Superintendent Andrea Jones, of Bolton division, said: "She was an asset to our team at Bolton and we will all miss her.

"She worked hard and was always keen to help others.

"She played an important role in keeping the communities of Bolton safe and she did this because she cared.

"Samantha worked closely with one of our regular officers, PC Stuart Hall.

"He describes her as an enthusiastic, committed and professional officer.

"She was keen to learn and as such worked some of the busiest shifts with PC Hall."

Samantha Ralphs tweeted: "Still can't get over the shock of losing such a special friend."

Amy Evans said on Facebook: "Can't actually believe what I've just read.

"Such a funny and welcoming person. Was a pleasure to work with you Sam Derbyshire, such a shock to hear the tragic news."

GMP continue to investigate the collision that killed Ms Derbyshire and there have been no arrests.