The family of a "loving" 81-year-old woman have paid tribute to her after she was tragically hit by a bus in Bishop Auckland earlier this week.

Janet Holmes was crossing the road at the Prince’s Street Junction with Newgate Street in the town centre on her way to an arts and crafts group just before 10.30am on Wednesday (November 13) when she was hit by an oncoming bus.

Police and emergency services including the Yorkshire Air Ambulance rushed to the scene and cordoned a large portion of the area off - urging motorists to find alternative routes.

Janet was taken by ambulance to James Cook University hospital but it has now tragically been confirmed that she died later that day.

Janet Holmes, 81.Janet Holmes, 81. (Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY) Her family have now released a heartbreaking tribute to her, saying her loss will leave an "enormous gap" in their lives.

They said: “Janet was a kind, fun-loving and incredibly positive person. She had the amazing ability to form strong positive relationships with almost everyone she met.

“Her loss will leave an enormous gap in the lives of not just her own family but also the many friends she made both old and new.

(Image: STUART BOULTON) “That morning she was on her way to her arts and crafts group which she loved when this tragic event happened.”

A bus driver, in his 50s, was arrested at the scene and has since been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue. 

The bus involved in the crash, operated by Arriva, was towed away from the scene. A spokesperson for Arriva added: "An investigation into this incident is ongoing."

Durham Police made the public aware of the incident not long after it happened - writing on social media that they were at the scene of the crash, described as "serious".

(Image: KAYLEIGH FRASER) Multiple police vehicles and officers were stationed along Newgate Street and Princes Street for several hours, including the collision investigation unit who began carrying out an investigation.

Police were seen carrying evidence bags, walking on and off the bus, inspecting its tyres and more until the bus was removed and the road re-opened at around 3:30pm. 

Pedestrians and locals expressed shock as they walked past the area, saying the crash is "absolutely awful" - but added that crashes in that area specifically are not uncommon.

One woman who works at a nearby shop said: “This has been going on since after 10.00am. They all came here really quickly. The police helicopter has been circling too.

(Image: KAYLEIGH FRASER)

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“This area is an accident hotspot. It was just last week there was an accident further up the road.”

Another passer-by said: “It’s just absolutely awful to see something like this.”

Durham Police added: "If you have any information that could assist officers, please email SCIU@durham.police.uk quoting incident reference number 98 of November 13."