Friends have spoken of their shock at the death of 31-year-old Cheryl Richards, who suffered fatal injuries after being hit by a car as she walked home from a party.

Ms Richards, of Berryfield Lane, Semington, was with her partner Simon Cook as they walked along the A361 near Hilperton from a party in Trowbridge just after 2.20am on Saturday. She suffered a serious head injury in the collision.

The couple had spent Friday night socialising with friends at The New Inn pub in Semington.

Barmaid Tara Shergold drove the couple to a party in Trowbridge. When she returned to the car to see if they wanted a lift back they had disappeared.

Miss Shergold said: “We had only left them for about 45 minutes. I had gone into the party and they were in the car park, when I went back to the car they had gone.

“We just assumed they had got a taxi, so we started heading back. What we can make out is that they started walking home.”

It is believed a grey Audi A3 was involved in the collision. The 22-year-old driver, from Melksham, was understood to have stopped at the scene but left before police arrived.

He later went to Melksham police station to report the incident and was initially arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. He has not been charged and has been bailed to return at a later date.

Miss Richards died on Saturday evening at Southmead Hospital in Bristol with members of her family with her.

Miss Shergold said: “It’s a big shock, especially this being a village and village pub and the fact she was in here before it happened.

“I’ve only met her a few times, she was really friendly, outgoing, and bubbly. She was a really good laugh.”

Neighbours say the couple had been together seven months after Mr Cook, who manages a chicken farm in Berryfield Lane, split up with his wife in December. It is also thought that Miss Richards worked at a cleaning company.

Neighbour Trevor Guley said: “In February she moved in, they tidied the house up and were going to make a life together. She was a very bubbly girl. I was very sorry to hear what happened. She will be sadly missed.”

Jeremy Wiltshire, who works on weekends with Mr Cook at the chicken farm, spoke of his shock.

“I couldn’t believe it. I had spoken to Simon on the Friday and said we should meet up for a drink,” he said.

“She was a really nice girl. They were really happy together and did everything together at the farm.”

Police are appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone who saw a grey Audi A3, to call 101 and use extension number 7203112.