TRIBUTES have been paid to a former North-East student who is believed to be the first female 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 on Wednesday about 200 miles off the coast of Virginia in the US.

Lt Lewis' mother Jo said today 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 Coun 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 and it is not going to be easy for them to carry on regardless."

Last night the Ministry of Defence said they believed the two flight staff had died, but said a search operation to recover the missing crew members was still under way.

A third crew member, who suffered minor injuries, has been rescued.

An MoD spokeswoman said: "Obviously this is a very sad time for the families and they need time to come to terms with what has happened.

"Naval personnel family service officers, people from the squadron and padres will be available should the family need them at their homes."

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

The accident is being investigated.