These are the three nurses whose young lives were wrecked the night they accepted a lift from drink-drive barman Graham Travers.

Their beaming smiles spoke of their joy, friendship and love just months before two were killed and a third seriously injured.

Judge Richard Brown yesterday warned Travers he faced a substantial jail term when he returned to Lewes Crown Court for sentencing on March 18. The maximum sentence for causing the deaths is ten years.

Travers, 21, of Shelldale Road, Hove, walked away from the smash in Portland Road, Hove, last October with just cuts and bruises. He was the only one in the car wearing a seat belt.

Natalie "Flo" McCabe, 21, from Shoreham died on the night of the crash. Victoria "Vicki" Browne, 19, from Elm Grove, Brighton survived in hospital for a month before she too died.

Rebecca Fish, 20, from Mile Oak, Hove lost part of her right leg.

Travers was twice over the drink-drive limit and speeding at more than 70mph in a 30mph zone when the Mondeo he was driving smashed into a road sign, then a lamp post.

The car rolled in mid-air and crashed on top of a Sierra before skidding along the road on its roof. The three women were flung from the car.

More than 30 friends and relatives packed the courtroom to see Travers admit causing the two deaths by dangerous driving. He also pleaded guilty to charges of drink driving, having no insurance and no driving licence.

Grieving relatives wept as Judge Richard Brown said: "The enormity of the tragic outcome of this case cannot be overstated."

There were shouts of "bastard" and "murderer" as Travers was led down to the cells.

Members of his family, who travelled from Ireland to support him, were in the public gallery, a discreet distance from the victims' families.

His mother, tears running down her face, said outside the court: "I am broken-hearted for the families."

Earlier in the day Rebecca was allowed out of hospital to lay flowers at the scene of the crash and to attend the unveiling of a memorial to Flo.

Hundreds of tributes have been paid to all three friends, including one from DJ Norman Cook and Zoe Ball whose son Woody was once looked after by Vicki. The couple wrote a tribute message at the time: "To lovely Vicki. We will never forget all your help with Woody. Shine on!".

Zoe said yesterday: "It's tragic, such a shame. Our thoughts are with all the families. We miss Vicki very much."

Flo's father Ray McCabe said: "We hope if he (Travers) has an ounce of decency, he will kill himself in prison so his family goes through what we are going through."