TRIBUTES have been paid to a mother who died after being crushed against a wall by a car.

Debbie Masters was walking with her husband and three children in Battle High Street on Sunday when she was hit by a Volkswagen Beetle, crushing her against The Lounge cafe.

Emergency services were called at around 2pm and paramedics battled to save her life.

The 37-year-old, of Coronation Green, Battle, was taken to hospital where she later died.

Yesterday relatives paid tribute to the her. They said: “Debbie was a loving wife and mother, who was adored by her husband, and will be missed for ever.”

Her husband Ian, 50, was treated for serious injuries at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton but he has since been discharged.

The woman driver and three children, including a baby in a pram, escaped with shock and minor injuries. They were treated at the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards.

Police are examining the circumstances of the crash and are looking into reports the 34-year-old driver may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time.

Blood samples were taken from her when she was being treated in hospital. Police said they are now being analysed.

Flowers were left at the scene yesterday and the town is preparing to hold services of remembrance and a candlelit vigil in honour of Mrs Masters.

Battle Baptist Church, where two of her sons are said to attend an afterschool club, has invited the community to a service of remembrance at 1.45pm on Sunday.

The Dean of Battle, John Edmonson, has called for everyone to pray for her relatives and to leave messages which can be passed on to the family.

Mayor of Battle David Furnish said a fundraiser will be organised for the family.

He added: “This is extremely sad.

“We are a very small tight-knit community and things like this have a devastating effect.”

The road was closed either side of the crash scene at its junction with the A271 North Trade Road and its junctions with Mount Street and Marley Lane.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to call 101 or email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Willington.