The 57-year-old oboe player of Glenfield, Greetland, was described by fellow musician and friend Lawrence Killian, chairman of Halifax Symph-ony Orchestra, as "caring, dedicated, very positive and amazingly hard-working."

He said: "Carole mixed in pretty high circles as far as classical music is concerned and had a national reputation.

"She was the sort of person you could rely on and very supportive of everybody. She was dedicated to supporting and promoting high-quality classical music-making.

"This is one of those things where it pulls you up short. She was involved with so many people looking to her for leadership, it makes you wonder where do you go next?

"She is going to leave a massive gap in music-making in this region."

Carole was principal oboe player and administrator with the Orchestra of the Square Chapel in Halifax and regularly played the oboe and cor anglais for Halifax Symphony Orchestra and Todmorden Orchestra.

She died on Friday afternoon after she was hit by a motorbike as she walked along Halifax Road, Eastwood, near Todmorden.

In the past she has played the oboe and cor anglais with the Huddersfield Philhar-monic Orchestra and has taught woodwind for years , as well as being a peripatetic music teacher.

She was one of a few teachers to be seconded to the USA, where she taught woodwind in Montana. She had a 100 per cent pass rate with her students during the 25 years she taught.

It is thought she may have been on her way to teach in Todmorden when she was hit by the motorcycle.

Carole and her long-term partner Mike Briggs, a trumpeter, also founded a group called Century Brass more than 20 years ago, which has since played all over the country. Carole also played the piano.

Mr Killian said: "Her work with children in schools throughout West Yorkshire as a peripatetic music teacher was outstanding. She was an exceptional teacher who inspired her pupils to achieve their best."

Arthur Butterworth, 83, of Skipton, who met Carole about 30 years ago while he was conductor of Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra, said: "She was the princess of the cor anglais. She was an exceptionally fine player.

"She was always quite a determined young woman and would always question me.

"She was also very down-to-earth and I got on very well with her. I was absolutely staggered to hear she had been killed."

Carole was originally from Lancashire but had lived in Calderdale for about 30 years. She had no children.

Residents have called for improved safety along the road where she lost her life.

John Peck, chairman of Eastwood Residents' Assoc-iation, said: "I felt sick when I heard what had happened."

It is the fourth fatality on the road in 10 years.