A 39-year-old woman who died when her Yamaha motorcycle was in collision with a car was a Kent police officer, it has been revealed.

PC Katie Mitchell died near the Chequers Inn public house in Cranbrook Road, Goudhurst, near Tunbridge Wells, shortly before 8am last Wednesday. She came from Kingsnorth, near Ashford.

PC Mitchell died as she was travelling to work at Tonbridge Police Station.

Her parents, Peter and Jackie Brown, have paid tribute to a "very loving and caring daughter".

In a statement issued through Kent Police, they said: "Katie’s life was Kent Police, which she joined in 1996. She relished the opportunities and challenges on a day-to-day basis.

"During her career she was based at Ashford, Tonbridge and Thanet and in each posting she made a huge number of friends.

"Katie wanted to be a police officer from a very early age. She was very creative, articulate, successful and lived life to the full."

Ms Mitchell was a former pupil at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Faversham and, following her gap year, attended Leeds University where she obtained a BA (Ed) and a Fine Art degree.

The parents' statement continued: "She was a member of a very large family and she will be sadly missed by everyone. She always put others first and had a very kind and loving nature.

"She was the perfect daughter. Katie loved her animals and had a Bengal-cross cat which she adored.

"She was also artistic and loved gardening and seeing things grow. As well as her police job, Katie was a volunteer working with big cats at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation in Smarden at the weekends. She conducted tours for visitors and loved telling everyone about breeding programmes for endangered species of animals.

"Katie was someone who enjoyed all aspects of life and she packed an incredible amount into her 39 years."

Ch Supt Mark Salisbury, Area Commander West Kent said: "Katie Mitchell joined Kent Police in April 1996. She began her career in Thanet and moved to Ashford in 2000. She served at Ashford in various roles until joining West Kent in January this year.

"Katie was well liked by her colleagues. Those who worked with her and knew her, will remember her vibrant, bubbly personality as well as her commitment and enthusiasm towards her work.

"Her death is a great loss. We offer our sincere condolences to her family and friends."

A coroner’s inquest into the death has been opened and adjourned.