THE family of a grandmother killed in a head-on car crash near Hatfield have paid tribute to the woman they describe as a "wonderful wife, mother and cook".

Eighty-one-year-old Gisela Mardle from Essendon died after her Vauxhall Corsa ploughed into an ambulance on the A1000 Great North Road in Bell Bar on Saturday.

Her husband of 56 years John, their adopted son Stephen and grandson Benjamin said they have been left devastated by their loss.

John said: "She was a very happy person - I will miss her deeply."

German-born Gisela moved to England aged 21, after meeting her husband while he was serving in the Army.

She took up work in factories in Hertford and later became a full-time housewife and mother.

But her family responsibilities did not stop her from enjoying her spare time.

Gisela was a keen knitter, enjoying crochet and dancing.

John said: "She was very good and liked the foxtrot, the waltz and the old time and sometimes took the male part."

She was also a member of the Essendon Women's Institute and often helped with planning events and functions.

"She was a good talker and would always manage to get raffle prizes to raise money for the Women's Institute," John added.

"Gisela also had a lovely singing voice and was also part of a choir."

Anyone with information on the accident should contact Police Constable Charlotte Van Pooss on 01707 638 707.