A TRAGIC young Oldbury woman who died when struck by a speeding car whilst waiting at a bus stop is to have a book of her poems published.

Rebecca McManus was 21 when a high-powered Mitsubishi Evolution drove into her as was on her way to a friend’s hen party.

Three years after her death Rebecca’s parents are releasing a 180 page book of the young English graduate’s work, who had just finished her degree at the University of East Anglia in Norwich when she died.

The collection entitled A Book of Fragments and Dreams, published by Unthank Publications was the idea of Cathy McManus, Rebecca’s mother.

She said: "She had a natural gift for poetry and had individual poems previously published, and seems fitting as it was one of Rebecca's ambitions,” said Mrs McManus, who lives in Oldbury.

“Rebecca had always hoped to have at least one book published and she had already chosen the title for the book,” she added. “We hope it will provide inspiration for other young poets.”

Covering 159 poems, subject matters include the changing of the seasons, romance and the wonders of the sky.

It is being launched in Norwich at a UEA Live event which is being held in Rebecca's memory by the University of East Anglia and The Writer's Centre, Norwich.

Currently, the family are in the process of talking to various organisations about fitting charitable tributes, which proceeds of the book will go towards.

The book is available for £9.99 and can be ordered from most bookshops as well as online from Amazon, The Wordery and Book Depository.

Halesowen News:

Two men were jailed for their roles in the accident.

Sukvinder Mannan, of Roundhills Rd, Halesowen, admitted causing death and injury by dangerous driving and was imprisoned for eight years. He had been racing another man Inderjit Singh, of Cranbourne Avenue, Wolverhampton, who was jailed for a year after admitting dangerous driving.

Rebecca was pronounced dead at the scene and her friend Harriet Barnsley has been left with life changing injuries following the incident in May 2014.