A schoolgirl from north Norfolk has made a heart-felt plea for drivers to be extra vigilant after her mother was given a 10pc chance of surviving when their car skidded into the back of a lorry.

Speaking for the first time since the horror crash, 12-year-old Jessica Read, told of the day when felt her own life had 'stopped' because of her mum's injuries.

Jessica, from Catriona Court, Salthouse, was going to Norwich with her family on a rainy day in August last year, when an articulated lorry travelling in front them stopped suddenly.

Jessica's mum Cireena, 36, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, said: 'I just remember saying 'oh my god, we've had it'.'

The firecrew took more than an hour to cut the mother-of-four free, and she was then taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where she was diagnosed as having a broken back.

Much to the surprise of her doctors, she improved over the next few weeks and just six weeks after the crash she was allowed to go home with her family.

Jessica said: 'We've been very lucky.

'I would like to warn everyone of the dangers of the road. I have learnt a very good lesson in life - you never know what each day will bring. Life is a blessing and should not be treated any other way,'

� For the full story see today's EDP or tomorrow'ss North Norfolk News