Friends and family remember north Norfolk schoolgirl Martha Seaward on what would have been her 18th birthday

Karen Seaward's 15-year-old daughter Martha was killed crossing the A148 near Sheringham Park in January 2014. Picture: MARK BULLIMORE (Image: Archant Norfolk 2015)

Friends and family will gather to remember Martha in Sheringham today more than two years on from her tragic death in a road accident.

Martha died, aged 15, in January 2014 when she was in collision with a lorry on the A148 close to Sheringham Park.

The bubbly redhead was a pedestrian, on her way to work doing washing-up duty at The Wheatsheaf pub in West Beckham when the accident happened.

The middle child of nine, she lived with her family in Coronation Road, Holt, and was a pupil at Sheringham High School.

The event called Remembering Martha: A Celebration has been organised by Sam Hinton, a close friend of Martha's mum Karen.

Mrs Hinton said: 'Karen is a really strong woman and a fantastic mum. She has carried on since Martha's death and been such a rock. When Martha died I did not know what to say and that has always dwelled on my mind. I had my son Felix last year which has given me an even greater perspective of what it must be like to lose a child.'

She added: 'It will bring Karen a little bit of peace to speak about Martha and an opportunity to have her say about road safety.'

Since her daughter's death Mrs Seaward has supported a long running campaign for a reduction in the 60mph speed limit on the section of A148 close to Upper Sheringham.

Last year she criticised Norfolk County Council (NCC) for creating a footpath guiding pedestrians to the exact place of the tragedy at the junction with Lodge Hill and Sheringham Road.

NCC media officer Helen McCorry said a number of changes have been completed at the junction to improve safety for road users in addition to the footpath.

She added: 'New signage has also been installed at this junction to remind pedestrians to look both ways.

'The highway verge has been lowered to assist visibility and reflective bollards have been installed along the south side of the junction.

'Together, these changes are designed to provide a safer crossing environment for pedestrians and better visibility for drivers.'

Upper Sheringham Parish Council has also successfully bid for Parish Partnership Scheme funding for a new vehicle activated sign to encourage drivers to slow down as they approach the crossroads.

Funds raised at the party are being donated to Norfolk based children's bereavement charity Nelson's Journey, which helped Martha's siblings to cope with the bereavement process following her loss.

To make a contribution visit https://www.gofundme.com/rememberingmartha/donate