Driver charged over girl's death

Laura was "bright, cheerful and incredibly loyal"

A man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a teenage girl was killed when she was hit by a car as she waited for a bus.

Laura Swadkins, 15, was hit by a Ford Fiesta which allegedly veered on to the pavement, smashing through a garden wall in Eaton Road, West Derby, Liverpool.

Phillip Russell, 24, of Dovecot, Liverpool, is due to appear before Liverpool magistrates later.

Laura's family said she was a much loved daughter and sister - and added they are "absolutely devastated" by her death.

The car hit Laura as she returned home from school

Staff at Holly Lodge School, where the youngster was a pupil, have also paid tribute to Laura.

Head of year at the school, Bridget Hitchens, said Laura was a "bright, cheerful and incredibly loyal" pupil with a bright future.

Residents living near the scene of the accident are now calling for the introduction of traffic calming measures.