TRIBUTES have been paid to a 90-year-old woman who died after being struck by a moped.

The grandchildren of Maria Ansell – known to them as Yiayia – are appealing for witnesses after her inquest was opened and adjourned on Friday.

The family expressed their heartache over not being able to lay her to rest for more than a month since she passed away due to the investigation.

Essex Coroner’s Court heard the great grandmother, from Leigh, died from traumatic chest injuries and the police investigation into the crash continues.

Katie Benn, Maria’s granddaughter, spoke on behalf of her and her family, to praise the “wonderful” woman Maria was.

She said: “In memory of our gorgeous ‘Yiayia’, the most wonderful grandmother and great grandmother anyone could ask for and who doted tirelessly on her entire family.

“Her mission in life was to make everyone else happy.

“She was fit and healthy and we are all truly devastated to have lost our ‘rock’ in such tragic circumstances.

“Our loss is compounded by the fact that we have been unable to lay her to rest and it is now over a month since she passed.

“This has placed a tremendous strain on the whole family – we are lost without her, particularly our grandad who has never paid a bill or written a letter in his life, as she did literally everything for him.

“It is with heavy hearts that we can now say our final goodbyes and lay her to rest, alongside her daughter, our mother, on Friday, May 24, at Sutton Road Cemetery.

“We would ask for donations to Cancer Research or Alzheimers rather than flowers at her service as these were two causes very close to her heart.”

Mrs Ansell was hit by a moped as she crossed London Road, by Iceland, in Leigh on April 2, around 4.50pm.

Sadly, Maria died at the scene after paramedics fought for several hours to save her. A 23-year-old was arrested shortly after the fatal crash, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs. Essex Police confirmed he has since been released under investigation. Katie added: “We would like to appeal for any information that has not already been put forward to police about the incident. It’s a busy stretch of road and was a busy time of day, so we hope that any small piece of information may help police with their investigation.”