FRIENDS of a 14-year-old girl who died tragically following a road crash have banded together to stage a kareoke night to raise cash for her gravestone.

Nicola Wiggins died in hospital ten days after the crash on a road between Stanley and Chester-le-Street, in County Durham.

And she was buried at packed service held in St Peter's in Sacriston last week.

But close friend Alan Cooper, 19, said, her parents were not in a financial position to pay for a gravestone.

Alan of Tantobie, near Stanley, who looked Nicola's pet lizard when she could no longer keep it in her house, said: "She was such a lovely person and liked by everybody.

"Her parents are unable to afford the gravestone and we would like to help them. We feel it will be a fitting tribute to her."

Alan, who is being helped by Michael Natrass to organise the event, added any money left over would be given to the Big Issue, in recognition of the concern Nicola showed for the less fortunate.

The event will be held in the Red Lion in Chester-le-Street, from 7-11pm on September 27. Entrance is £2 for adults and £1 for children with a raffle included.

A free buffet will be provided courtesy of Tanfield Catering with Ultimate Events providing the disco and kareoke.

Police are still investigating the crash which happened just 200 yards from the High Handenhold fire station at about 6.15pm on August 16.

The male driver of a Citroen Xantia, in which Nicola was travelling, was taken to the University Hospital in Durham with minor injuries, but was later released.

The driver of the other car was also taken to hospital and later released. Nicola is also survived by her parents June and Tony, brothers Paul, 20, and Anthony, 17, and sister Rachel,12.