An 80-year-old woman who died in a car crash on New Year’s Day was a nurse who had devoted her life to saving people.

Phyllis Eva Mable Brown, from Ashford, was on her way to work at St Martin’s Hospital in Canterbury when her car crashed into a parked vehicle on Whitstable Road, on the outskirts of the city, early last Thursday morning.

Her devastated family believe Mrs Brown, who worked with mental health patients, was taken ill at the wheel in the moments before the crash.

Her only child Jennifer, who was celebrating her 50th birthday the day her mother died, is flying from her home in Australia to the UK.

Son-in-law Paul Le Sueur said: “My mother-in-law certainly did devote her life to caring for others. In fact, she was on her way to work when she had the accident.”

Close friend Desmond Limpus added: “My wife and I knew her very well and she was the most caring, kind and giving lady you could imagine that ever walked this earth.

"Age had no barrier to this dear lady, and still working and caring for others was a big credit to her. The world would be a much better place with more of her kind.”

Mrs Brown’s colleagues on Foxglove Ward at St Martin’s said: "We were devastated to hear the tragic news. Phyllis was a valued member of our team and she will be sorely missed by staff and the clients on our ward."

Mrs Brown was driving a white Volkswagen Polo along Whitstable Road towards St Thomas' Hill, close to its junction with Westgate Court Avenue, when it hit a parked silver Mercedes A170.

Police shut the road between Westgate Court Avenue and Clifton Gardens at 7.42am while they examined the scene. The road re-opened at about 10.30am.

Investigators made door-to-door inquiries and would like to speak to anyone who may have seen the vehicle before the collision or the crash itself.

Anyone with information is asked to call 01622 798538.