THE FIANCÈE of Shoreham Airshow crash victim Tony Brightwell has told she has lost the “love of her life”.

Tony Brightwell’s partner Lara said she was “devastated” their plans for a life in the sun in a few years’ time would no longer happen.

Mr Brightwell, 53, of Hove, is the latest person to be named as a victim of the tragedy.

At the time of the crash he was indulging in his passion for watching planes and cycling and was excited about seeing one of the last flights of the Vulcan bomber at the event.

In a tribute published yesterday, Lara said: “He was the love of my life, my soul mate and I am devastated that our plans of a life in the sun in a few years time won’t now happen.

“He was a kind, loving man who always helped others and just enjoyed spending time with family and friends over a bottle of red wine.

“I watched him cycle off into the sun on his treasured Ridgeback bike to watch the airshow at Shoreham for a couple of hours, but he never came home.”

Mr Brightwell worked for Brighton and Hove City Council for eight years before being seconded to a position as a healthcare manager at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

He gained his private pilot licence at Shoreham Airport years ago and regularly went to the airfield to watch the planes take off and land there, with a view that he might take up flying again one day.

He had a real admiration of Second World War pilots and the huge, terrifying responsibilities that men and women faced, his family said in a statement.

A food lover and budding cook, he regularly made Thai green curry, Spanish baked risotto and paella, and loved Indian takeaways, with chicken tikka pathia being his favourite dish.

He also leaves behind daughter Gemma, sister Judy, nephew Adam, parents Barbara and Ernie, best friend Andy and a large extended family.

A family statement said: “Forever in our hearts our darling bike warrior.

“We thank everyone who has sent their love, condolences and prayers and while we appreciate that many others will be experiencing similar unspeakable grief in such tragic and public circumstances, that we now be allowed to grieve ourselves in private and in peace.”

Denise D’Souza, the council’s executive director of adult social care, said Mr Brightwell was a “valued” and “popular” member of staff at both organisations.

She said: “Tony will be sorely missed by his colleagues and friends. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

Kay MacDonald, Sussex Partnership’s clinical and research director, said: “Tony was a well-respected member of the team, dedicated to helping other people and he will be sorely missed by everyone at Sussex Partnership.

“We are doing everything possible to support the people who knew Tony and our thoughts are with his family at this extremely difficult time.”