A pregnant mother wept in church today as 250 people gathered for her partner's funeral.

Wendy Rudwick paid tribute to PC Tokunbo 'Tok' Ezobi, who died in a car crash on his way home to Hove on New Year's Day.

She said: "I am so proud of him, proud of his job and what he did. He deserved everybody being here."

More than 100 Sussex and Metropolitan police officers formed a guard of honour at the entrance to St Philip's Church, in New Church Road, Hove.

Sussex Chief Constable Ken Jones and Superintendent Doug Rattray, head of Brighton and Hove Police, led a salute as the cortege arrived and traffic came to a standstill.

PC Ezobi, 26, worked for Sussex Police for two years before transferring to the Metropolitan force last summer.

He was driving in the early hours of New Year's Day when his Peugeot 406 crashed on the A23 at Bolney.

He was on route home to his partner, who is expecting their second child, their son Kane, who was one on Christmas Day and Wendy's two other sons, Gareth, nine, and Reece, six.

A football shirt signed by PC Ezobi's beloved Tottenham Hotspur players lay on his coffin, along with the Metropolitan police flag.

Ms Rudwick, 28, wiped tears from her eyes as she spoke of her partner.

She said: "He loved everybody and everybody loved him. He loved his children."

Mourners were reminded how PC Ezobi had a great appetite for life - and food.

He said: "We were together on New Year's Eve before he left for work. I made him sandwiches and he was asking me what was for dinner when he got home.

"Just after he left work he texted me to put the dinner on.

"He was always positive, strong and very loving. "He took on my two boys as his own and was so proud when we had our first child. I know how proud he was that we were to have another child."

She turned to look at his coffin and said: "I can't believe he's not here. I will always love him."

PC Ezobi's father, Solomon, said he was a wonderful child and earned the nickname Buffalo, because he was always breaking cups and glasses.

Mr Ezobi thanked the Metropolitan and Sussex police and all well-wishers.

More tributes came from PC Ezobi's family and colleagues, both in London and Sussex.

Acting Police Sergeant Brett Grisbrook said PC Ezobi had a fantastic sense of humour: "This job can be very difficult and stressful but Tok gave us fun and laughter, even in the most testing times."

He told how PC Ezobi captured Brighton's most wanted criminal after a street chase.

There was an in-house reward of a bottle for the officer who made the arrest but he said PC Ezobi claimed money instead and bought everyone cream cakes.

The Metropolitan Police Choir and the Hill City Choir sang during the service, which was conducted by Father Stephen Terry, who is Sussex Police chaplain.

Father Terry said he found it difficult to find reasons for PC Ezobi's death but said he would be remembered as a much-loved man and a police officer who did his duty.