TRIBUTES were paid last night to a former North-East student who is believed to be the first woman pilot or observer to die while serving with the Royal Navy.

Lieutenant Jenny Lewis, 25, who studied at Newcastle University, was acting observer to pilot Lieutenant Rod Skidmore, 39, when their Lynx helicopter went down about 200 miles off the coast of Virginia, US.

They are missing, presumed dead, but a search operation is still under way.

Lt Lewis's mother, Jo, said last night that she and her family were devastated by the crash, which happened as the aircraft was returning to the Royal Navy warship HMS Richmond.

But Mrs Lewis, from the Isle of Wight said: "It helps that she died doing the job she loved."

Lt Lewis, who also served on HMS London and HMS Northumberland, had been in the Navy for four years and was always determined to fly, her mother said.

She was actively involved in the Newcastle University Royal Navy Unit as a student and was "fast tracked" to complete her training early at the Dartmouth Naval Training College.

HMS Richmond, which was the last Royal Navy frigate build at Swans on the Tyne, has strong ties with Richmond in North Yorkshire, and its crew are due to visit the market town this summer.

Richmond mayor Stuart Parsons said: "We would wish to express our condolences to all family and friends.

"It is going to be a terrible time for them and for the ship."

Lt Skidmore, a married father-of-two and Lt Lewis, who is single, were based at the Royal Naval Air Station in Yeovilton, Somerset.

A third crew member, who suffered minor injuries, was rescued.