THE mother of a leading kayaker who died in a New Zealand river yesterday spoke of her daughter's "bright, shining, golden smile" during a moving tribute at her funeral.

Eleanor Rutter was killed on March 29 after being swept away as she tried to negotiate a fast-flowing section of the Crooked River on New Zealand's South Island.

The 19-year-old, who was from Ripon, North Yorkshire, had competed for the British women's kayak team and was ranked seventh in the world.

Yesterday, more than 250 mourners packed Ripon Cathedral for the service.

Her mother, Vera, said: "In her short life time she accomplished more than any of us could do in 100 years. She did it all with happiness, love and great humour.

"If I stood here to the end of time, I could never say how much we love her and how much we miss her.

"It is impossible to think of Eleanor without smiling. My father used to say that if it weren't for Eleanor's ears, her smile would go right around her head. Her bright, shining, golden smile lit up the whole world."

Eleanor left Ripon Grammar School last year with four A grades at A-level. She was on a gap year trip before going to Edinburgh University to study medicine when the accident happened.

As well as being a talented kayaker, she was also a keen runner, musician, walker and climber and worked at a nursing home.

During the service Miss Rutter's mother, her father, Howard, and 15-year-old sister, Anna, lit candles for her.

Anna also paid tribute to the "best big sister anyone could wish for". She read out a poem called, I was just... It finished with the line: "I was just wondering what is the worst feeling in the world and now I know."

The service was followed by a cremation at Stonefall Crematorium.