A MEDICAL student who should have been celebrating her graduation today has been awarded a posthumous degree following her death in a car accident.

Rachael Veale, 21,was a bright, talented student in her fourth year at the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter but had her life tragically cut short in the accident on the A38 in January 2008.

Tutors say Rachael had the potential to be an exceptional doctor.

She has been awarded a post-obitum degree of Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Science.

Her parents, Simon, 52, and Caroline, 47, her brother Chris, 25, and her grandfather Brian, 82, made the special trip to Exeter, from the family home in Seaford, East Sussex, yesterday.

They will be commemorating their daughter's achievements at the Peninsula Medical School's graduation ceremony at Exeter University's Great Hall, today.

Rachael's personal tutor, Jill Millar described Rachael as "enthusiastic, sensitive, caring, reflective and one of the bright sparks of her year".

Her father said: "This is a time of mixed emotions. We are feeling immense pride but today is a sad day. Rachael set her heart on being a doctor from 13. She never lost focus all the way through her GCSEs and A-Levels."

The family have set up a lasting legacy for Rachael. In conjunction with the medical school, The Peninsula Citizenship Rachael Veale Award will now be awarded annually to the student who has contributed the most to the community during their medical studies.

Rachael was killed when the car she was a back seat passenger in, careered into a tree in bad weather on the A38 near Endsleigh Garden Centre, Ivybridge, on January 18, 2008. The driver and the three other passengers were also fourth year medical students at the city's Peninsula Medical School. They suffered non-life threatening injuries.