PUB staff have paid tribute to their colleague Amy Ransom who died after falling down a mountain in Vietnam.

Amy, 17, had worked at The Polecat, in Prestwood, as a kitchen assistant for the last two years her brother Lewis also worked there up until his death in 1996 in a road accident. He was 16 at the time.

A tree was planted in the meadow at the back of the country pub with a plaque following Lewis's death in a road accident.

Owner John Gamble said Amy polished the plaque each week after work.

He said there was a sense of disbelief at what had happened, adding: "She was one of the nicest people we have had working here.

"She was extremely well liked by all her colleagues. Everyone has been extremely saddened, there are a lot of young people here who worked with her."

Amy, of Bryant's Bottom, died last Monday while on a school trip organised by World Challenge Expeditions to Vietnam.

The group, from Wycombe High School, were trekking up a mountain in the north of the country when Amy is thought to have lost her footing before falling 500ft down a gully.

Mr Gamble, who has owned the pub for the last 11 years, said: "Her brother worked for us for a couple of years. They were very alike, extremely alike I would say.

"You just feel so desperately sorry for the family."

Amy was trekking with seven other school mates, teacher Hilary Brash, two local guides and group leader Captain Richard Lloyd.

The pupils and teacher all flew home last Thursday and are being offered counselling.

World Challenge Expeditions, which employed Captain Lloyd, has launched an inquiry into the accident.