British woman dies after garden cliff fall

The family of a British woman who was killed after plunging from the top of a Caribbean clifftop on Christmas Day have described her death as "a terrible accident".

Sarah Thomas, 46, who lived on the paradise island of St Lucia with her husband, is believed to have been picking herbs in the garden of her villa in the village of Piaye when she fell to her death.

Her parents William and Christine Pickering and sister Alison said they were "devastated" by the tragedy.

Mrs Thomas, from Preston, Lancashire, had emigrated to the Caribbean in 2010 before marrying husband of five months Kevin, who is from St Lucia, last summer, her family said.

She had left her successful job as the managing director of tax advisers in the UK to start a fresh life, according to reports.

Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Mrs Pickering, of Ashton-on-Ribble, Lancashire, said: "Words can't express what we feel at the loss of our lovely daughter.

"Sarah had been incredibly happy with Kevin. St Lucia was her home. She loved Kevin and loved the island.

"We wish to make it clear that there has been a full police investigation and we believe that Sarah's death is just the result of a terrible accident."

Mrs Thomas will buried in St Lucia, added her mother.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the death of a British national on December 25, 2011. We are offering consular assistance to the family."

PA