A BRIDE-TO-BE, aged 24, survived a high speed crash that killed her fiance and the taxi driver who was taking them home after a night out, it emerged today.

Claire Harmer is recovering in hospital after the four car pile-up in Bolton at the weekend.

But her fiance Christopher Robinson, aged 25, died in the accident which happened after a police pursuit in the early hours of Sunday.

The couple, who were engaged to be married next year, had left their car at the Hen and Chickens Hotel in Deansgate where Claire used to work.

Today landlady Hilary Coyne said she was devastated. She added: "You couldn't have met a nicer couple. They had everything going for them.

"They both had good jobs, and were getting married in May.

"Claire was the godmother for our son Anthony at the christening in September. They moved into their new house and everything was going great for them."

Mr Robinson and Miss Harmer caught a taxi from Moor Lane at about 2.15am and were heading to their home in Haseley Close, Bolton.

The details of the accident are under investigation by the police complaints authority.

Police say the red Toyota Corolla taxi and a red Cavalier sped along Bury Road, past traffic officers on patrol at speeds of up to 100mph at about 2.30am. The two officers followed the drivers who were said to have raced through traffic lights at the the junction of Crompton Way.

When police rounded a bend in the road, the two cars had collided with a white Fiat van and a white Toyota Carina.

The taxi driver Mohamed Patel, aged 34, from Auburn Street, Daubhill, died later that morning and Mr Robinson died on Sunday night from serious head injuries.

Miss Harmer suffered serious leg injuries and is in a stable condition in the Royal Bolton Hospital.

A 19-year-old girl and a 25-year-old man, both from Bolton, were also injured.

Hen and Chickens landlord Anthony Coyne said: " She's a smashing girl and he was a great bloke. They doted on each other from the first.

"They left their car in our garage at the pub as they have done many times when they were going out on the town."

Yvonne Jackson, who owns Moor Lane taxis, said Mr Patel had worked as a driver for the last four years.

She said: "A couple came to the office at about 2.15am on Saturday night and asked for a taxi to the Bradley Fold area.

"They had been out for a night in the town centre. We are all shocked by what has happened.

"Mohamed was one of my best drivers. He was very experienced and was always courteous and pleasant."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bolton Traffic Unit on 0161 856 7071 or 7072.