A WINDERMERE gift shop closed its doors to the public on Sunday as a mark of respect for a young employee who died suddenly on her way to work that morning.

Claire Gill Askew, 21, of Haverlock Road, was just metres away from Crag House Gifts, where she was due to start work at 10am, when she collapsed and died outside the Co-op store on Crag Brow.

Shocked members of the public tried in vain to resuscitate the former Ulverston Victoria High School pupil.

David Hey, a colleague of Miss Askew, who described the tragedy as "numbing," said he was opening up the shop as usual and expecting the young woman to walk through the door any minute:

"I got to the shop just before 10am and I was waiting for Claire to come in when a lady knocked on the door and told me she had collapsed outside the Co-op.

"By the time I got there a gentleman was giving her the kiss of life trying to bring her round. The crowd was desperately trying to help her. She was off work on Saturday so I said cheerio' on Friday and enjoy yourself' expecting to see her on Sunday. It's just numbing."

He said that Miss Askew had worked at the gift shop for about 18months and seemed to be in perfect health:

"She was a very pleasant and approachable girl. It was such a shock - it has knocked us all for six. You can't put it into words. If someone's poorly you prepare yourself, when there's no physical signs that anything is wrong it's a total shock."

House-mate John Gore, who lived with Miss Askew at the two-bedroomed rented accommodation in Windermere, said he was "devastated" by her untimely death.

Landlady Candice McLoughlin said she had spoken to Miss Askew's family who were "torn apart" by her sudden death: "She was a great person. It's such a big shock because she was so young. My thoughts are with the family."

Assistant head teacher at Ulverston Victoria High School Graham Hamilton confirmed that Claire had been a former pupil but declined from making any further comment.

Police are still investigating the cause of death.

January 10, 2003 10:00