A funeral is to be held next week for policeman's daughter Rae Torbet, who was found dead with knife wounds to her neck.

The service, described as a celebration of the bank clerk's life, will be held in Eastbourne on Monday at 1pm.

Miss Torbet, 19, was the daughter of Detective Chief Inspector Jim Torbet, head of Eastbourne police CID.

Her mother Zoe Marfleet said: "Rae was a fantastically energetic young woman who had the rest of her life ahead of her.

"As her mum, I have lost my best friend.

"That's why we, her beloved family, want to pay our own fond tribute to her at a special ceremony celebrating her short life.

"Rae touched the hearts of so many people with her special blend of humour and humanity. Both Jim and I would be pleased to see any of her friends at the celebration - in memory of our own Rae of sunshine."

Miss Torbet, a former head girl at Bexhill High, was discovered at her home in Cantelupe Road, Bexhill, by a colleague from HSBC bank in Hailsham after she failed to arrive for work on March 27.

Repeated telephone calls went unanswered before she was found in her top-floor flat with neck wounds.

The memorial service will take place at Eastbourne Crematorium in Hide Hollow, Langney, Eastbourne.

Mourners will include colleagues, former school friends and family members.

Divorced Mr Torbet, 48, also has a son aged 17.

He joined Sussex Police in 1980 and has also worked in Brighton, Hove and for the Regional Crime Squad.

He led the investigation into the murder of Billy Carmichael in Brighton in 2000, after which two defendants were jailed for life.

Mr Torbet is also vice-chairman of governors at Bexhill High. Miss Torbet's uncle Fraser Torbet is a detective based at Brighton police station in John Street.

Assemblies in memory of Miss Torbet have been held at 1,500-pupil Bexhill High in Down Road, Bexhill, which has yet again been touched by tragedy.

Last October, Year 11 pupil Francesca Ward died of meningitis just two days after she celebrated her 16th birthday.

Miss Torbet's ex-partner, factory worker Dellwyn James, 31, of Chiltern Drive, Hastings, appeared at Lewes Crown Court today, charged with her murder. He was remanded in custody until June 13.