The pregnant partner of a young PC killed in a car crash fought back tears last night as she told of her heartache.

Wendy Rudwick, just seven weeks from giving birth to their second child, said: "I loved him from the very first moment right to the end and I will never stop loving him. He was the most gentle, caring, loving man."

Her partner PC Tokunbo 'Tok' Ezobi, 26, died hours after policing New Year celebrations.

He transferred from Sussex Police to the Metropolitan force in the summer and was driving to the family home in Hove when the crash happened.

His Peugeot 406 saloon smashed through the central barrier on the A23 at Bolney and landed on its roof just after 3am on New year's Day.

PC Ezobi was with his partner, their son Kane, who was one on Christmas Day, and her other sons Gareth, nine, and Reece, six, just before he set off for duty on New Year's Eve.

Wearing the T-shirt he was wearing that day, Miss Rudwick, 28, told how they were looking forward to the birth of their daughter and to a full church wedding ceremony in the summer.

The couple met at Steamer's nightclub at the Metropole Hotel, Brighton, in 1998 and it was love at first sight.

PC Ezobi had moved from his family home in London to study law at Sussex University but he preferred the sharp end of the criminal justice system and joined Sussex Police. He was later honoured for catching one of the city's most wanted villains after a street chase.

Miss Rudwick, wearing her partner's engagement ring on her watch strap said: "I thought he was so gorgeous the very first time I saw him. I thought, 'Wow'.

"He was so well spoken, gentlemanly, intelligent and really sweet."

They dated for nine months before living together for the next three years and PC Ezobi relishedhis role as a father .

He transferred to the Met for more money to buy a bigger home and for more opportunity. He put in an application to join a fire arms unit just hours before his death.

Miss Rudwick said: "He liked his friends and colleagues but he was so family orientated and fantastic with the children. He just wanted us, our space and our time. He was very big (6ft 4in) and so strong - he would pick up my two boys, one on each arm, and act like a climbing frame.

"Tok was so proud when Kane was born.

"He was always loving to me and would bring me flowers and chocolates once a month every month."

He will be buried in the city with full honours from both forces. A wreath is being made in the shape of his favourite Tottenham Hotspurs FC emblem.

Miss Rudwick said she was so glad she had Kane and their new baby: "I will have part of Tok for the rest of my life through them."

Yesterday, she drove to the site where her partner died to lay flowers and leave the message: "I love you more than life."