Sky surf champion killed in contest

Pauline Richards took up sky surfing at the age of 41

A champion sky surfer from Somerset has died in an accident during a competition at an airfield in Australia.

Farmer's daughter Pauline Richards, originally from East Coker, near Yeovil, gave up a career in public relations three years ago to become a professional sky diver.

Ms Richards, who was 44, went on to become the Australian female sky surf champion.

She suffered multiple injuries while landing during a contest at Corowa Airport near Melbourne.

Police and experts are investigating but preliminary inquiries are reported to have so far found no fault with her parachute.

In her home village residents have spoken of their shock at her death.

One described Ms Richards as being fanatical about her sport and said she was one of the most accomplished skydivers and sky surfers in the world.