Mrs Muir was pronounced dead at the scene, having sustained severe head injuries.

The accident happened at around 2.20am as the car was being followed by a marked police vehicle.

Two other female passengers in the Astra were take to hospital after the crash for treatment for shock.

The driver, a 19-year-old female, was apprehended by police away from the scene a short time after the accident. She received treatment for a cut to her eye.

A report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

A spokeswoman for Tayside Police stressed later that the police car was not pursuing the Astra at high speed when the crash happened.

“It was not a police chase,” she said. “There is a difference between a chase and being followed.”

Mrs Muir, a domestic assistant at the city’s Ninewells Hospital, had been playing bingo earlier last night with friends and family, before heading to Fat Sam’s nightclub in the city centre.

It was after leaving the nightspot at 2am that the fatal crash occurred.

Mrs Muir, who had lived all her life in the Charleston area, has been described by friends as a devoted wife and mother, who loved to spend time with her family.

Tragically she and her childhood sweetheart, Colin, had just this year celebrated their silver wedding anniversary.

Mrs Muir also leaves behind two sons, Steven (24) and Brian (20).

Logie Street, Loons Road, Muirton Road and sections of Lochee Road and Ancrum Road were closed to traffic for several hours after the accident to allow police investigators to work at the scene.

Police diversions were in place to stem the traffic flow around the cordoned-off area.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is being asked to get in touch with Tayside Police on Dundee 223200 or contact any officer.

The roads were finally reopened just after 2pm.