The mother of a young driver who died after his car ploughed into a block of flats today spoke of her heartache.

Diane Sherin, 50, of Hawkswood Road, Hailsham, said her son Stuart Doe, 25, was hugely popular and his many friends have been left devastated by his death.

She spoke after making a heartbreaking pilgrimage to lay flowers at the spot where her son suffered fatal injuries.

She said: "He was a beautiful young man with so many friends. He was vibrant and caring and so many people said to us that we must be so proud of him.

"He was such a happy person and had just met a lovely young woman. They had been away on a St Valentine's weekend together in Blackpool and were so happy.

"Everyone in the family is in total shock. We have spent the last couple of days trying to comfort each other but it's so hard."

Stuart, from Eastbourne, attended Blatchington Mill School, Hove, leaving after his GCSEs to work at his father's car stereo business in Sedlescombe Road North, St Leonards.

He was a keen footballer and had played in goal for Hove Park Colts.

The crash happened on Tuesday evening on the A259 at King Offa Way, Bexhill, when Mr Doe's Vauxhall Astra Turbo left the road and smashed into a first-floor flat. He was flung from the car and despite attempts to save him, died at the Conquest Hospital in Hastings.

A couple, both aged 46, who were in their flat at the time had to be rescued after being trapped by rubble. They suffered broken bones and were taken to the same hospital. Police said it was a miracle they were not killed.

Residents are demanding urgent safety measures as the crash was the second fatal accident in three months.

In December, Margaret Austin, 55, died two weeks after her Nissan Micra was in a three-vehicle pile-up on King Offa Way.

Home owners want barriers and more speed cameras to be introduced on the road, which is a main artery through Bexhill They also feel a barrier should be placed along the layby which the Vauxhall Astra crossed before flying into the building.

Student Toby Stevens, 23, said: "Something needs to be done. There have been enough tragedies along this stretch for people to take notice.

"The layby in particular is very dangerous.

"There's absolutely nothing to stop cars from going straight into those flats if they skid.

"It's a fast road and accidents do happen but there's no protection either for drivers or the people living in the flats."

Scaffolder Tony Griffins, 52, said: "We wouldn't have this problem had the Government approved the bypass scheme.

"The roads around here are so badly congested that, unfortunately, once people get on to a carriageway like this, they take advantage of it."

The Highways Agency said a study was being prepared into improving King Offa Way for road users.

A spokeswoman said: "The Highways Agency is aware of this stretch of road having periodic sharp bends.

"We're looking to improve the road to prevent excessive speeding and to ensure greater awareness of upcoming bends and junctions."

Meanwhile, structural engineers sealed off the flat which has a gaping hole about 15ft high and was declared unsafe.