The mother of a Mid Sussex woman killed when her car smashed into a tree has described her daughter as "full of fun".

Joanna Wickham - whose father died in a crash in 1993 - died instantly in the accident on the B2036 near Cuckfield last Tuesday.

Joanna, of Weald Close, Hurtspierpoint, was described by her mother, Daphne Wickham, as "larger than life and full of fun"

Mrs Wickham, 53, said Joanna loved animals and throughout her childhood kept everything from rabbits and guinea pigs to rats.

She said: "She went to school in Albourne and grew up there. She had an idyllic childhood. We lived on a farm.

"She went through primary school with lots of little girlfriends. These girls are all getting touch now because a lot of them will be going to her funeral.

"She loved her animals. In the past she had kept rats. From about 12 she had a succession of them."

Mrs Wickham said her daughter was a theatre fan and particularly enjoyed Shakespeare.

Joanna - an administrative assistant at Gatwick Industrial Park - had recently gone to Ibiza and in the last two weeks she had been to Chessington World of Adventures with her friends.

The funeral will take place at Downs Crematorium in Bear Road, Brighton, on Thursday.