TRIBUTES have poured in for two 'wonderful, beautiful' girls who died in a horrific car crash.

Lucy Breakwell, 21, and her half-sister Catherine, 15, were killed after their car crashed into a tree in Easton Lane on Portland.

The girls, who lived in New Street, Easton, died shortly after midnight when their silver Ford Fiesta left the road and collided with a tree.

They were found to be dead at the scene by Dorset ambulance staff who were alerted to the crash at 12.10am by a passing motorist.

Dozens of bouquets of flowers and tributes built up at the crash spot over the weekend.

Relatives have been comforting the close-knit family, who live in New Street, Easton.

The girls' grandparents Gordon and Jess Breakwell arrived from Wolverhampton on Saturday.

Mr Breakwell said: "This is such a shock to us all - everyone is very emotional and upset.

"It has hit us very hard. They were wonderful, beautiful girls and we can't believe what has happened."

Catherine was a pupil at Royal Manor Arts College on Portland, whose students returned to school today after the summer holidays. Headteacher Paul Green said she was an extremely popular and caring student who had "a lovely smile".

He said: "Catherine really loved school and she tried to make it better whenever she could.

"As an example, she was involved in the mediator counselling group for younger students, and they will be particularly devastated at the news."

Mr Green said he carried out a reading to her fellow Year 11 students at a special assembly this morning.

He added: "Everyone is truly devastated here and there were lots of tears this morning. I can't imagine what emotions her family is going through."

Lucy worked full-time at Weymouth's Riviera Hotel, and Catherine had also worked at the complex as a waitress during the school holidays.

It is believed they were travelling home from the hotel at the time of the crash.

Chairman of the hotel's parent group Hollybush Hotels, Martyn Harrison, said everybody there was stunned by the news.

He said: "The girls were very well known and liked, loyal and hard-working.

"It's very hard to understand. We had a wedding here on Saturday and staff did the best they could to carry on as normal.

Mr Harrison, who is also chairman of Weymouth Football Club, said: "Our hearts go out to the family."

Police have said a road sign lying in Easton Lane could have played a part in the crash.

Officers from the county's road policing unit said a sign from a nearby recycling unit was lying in the road before the incident.

The sign would have been an obstacle to drivers, police said.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said four male teenagers from Portland have been questioned in connection with the incident.

The youths, two of whom are aged 16, one who is 17 and another who is 18, have been released on bail while further enquiries are made.

Officers had appealed for witnesses after the crash to contact PC Paul Bishop on 222500.