FRIENDS and family of a well-known Gwent dog trainer killed in a trike accident over the weekend have paid tribute to her larger-than-life personality.

Janette Hatton, known as Jinny, 45, a mother-of-two and grandmother-of-two from Portskewett died at around 5.15am on Saturday after the accident on Black Rock Road, Portskewett.

Mrs Hatton was a well-known figure in Gwent, as a dog behaviour therapist who worked with countless families across the area and beyond.

Her husband of 12 years, Steve Hatton, 48, told the Argus the whole family was shattered by Mrs Hatton's sudden death.

"I'm not sure how we're going to come to terms with it," he said.

Mrs Hatton was close to her family and was thrilled, the week before she died, to discover she was to be a grandmother for the third time.

Mr Hatton described his wife as a strong willed, larger-than-life character with a great passion for living.

He attributes much of this passion to her surviving a near-fatal crash 15 years ago, when the lorry she was in tipped over, crushing her.

Her leg was amputated, but the lucky escape gave her the determination to make the most of every day.

It was only after the accident that Mrs Hatton started keeping dogs and got interested in dog behaviour training - which eventually developed into a career.

Mrs Hatton had a lifelong passion for bikes and was a member of the National Association for Bikers with Disabilities (NABD).

She had saved up for the trike she was driving when the accident happened, and only bought it a month ago.

Her husband said: "She had taken the trike to several conventions, so had some experience of driving it, but obviously she could have used a bit more."

Mrs Hatton was also a keen Morris dancer and member of The Widders, where she played drum, tambourine and penny whistle.

Mr Hatton said: "Jinny was an inspiration to us all and she was a great friend to a lot of people.

"Jinny brought great light into our lives and we will dearly miss her."

Mrs Hatton worked as a dog behaviour therapist with Bark Busters for the last nine years.

Testimonials from her customers described her as friendly, helpful, a good listener and always at the end of a phone to offer follow-up support.

Victim trapped under vehicle

Mrs Hatton was pronounced dead at the scene after her trike left the country road, smashed through two fences and plunged down an embankment.

Eyewitnesses described seeing her trapped beneath the trike.

Her passenger, a male friend, aged 43, from the Caldicot area, suffered leg and facial injuries in the crash and was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital.

The pair had driven to Black Rock to watch the sun rise together, and were heading back to Mrs Hatton's home in Portskewett.

Gwent Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision to contact Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or the Collision Investigation Unit on 01633 643091.