More than 150 people paid tribute to a nursery nurse with "an amazing ability to spread love among those she knew".

Police officers joined friends and family at St Theresa's Roman Catholic Church in Southwick on Friday for the funeral of Natalie McCabe, known as Flo.

The service for the 21-year-old was based around the great love of her life - her Mini.

Two Minis led the funeral procession including her own car, red with a checked black-and-white roof, which was left parked in the rain at the entrance to the church during the service.

Her coffin was also red with a white lid.

During the 45-minute service, attended by many of Flo's young friends, the coffin was placed next to a wreath at the front of the church, which spelt out Flo in white and red flowers.

Father Brian Lowden said people who knew Flo "spoke of someone who had a tremendous zest for life and ability to spread love among those she knew".

He said Flo, from Shoreham, had been happy at passing her driving test and had great pride in her car, which she nicknamed Benny.

Father Lowden said a deep caring part of her character was shown though her job as a nursery nurse.

She loved looking after children and worked at Young Sussex Nursery School in Portland Road, Hove, until recently when she had moved to the Acorn Nursery for staff at Southlands Hospital in Shoreham.

Father Lowden said: "Let us remember that Flo will always remain very near to us because she has gone to God and God is always very close."

The service included the hymns All Things Bright And Beautiful and The King Of Love My Shepherd Is.

Tearful friends and colleagues also spoke of Flo's happiness, generosity and love of life.

Father Lowden read a message from Flo's parents, Raymond and Jane McCabe, which thanked everyone for their support in such tragic circumstances.

They also thanked the emergency services and public for their help.

As mourners walked out of the church to the song Dreams by The Cranberries, the rain gave way to bright sunshine.

Flo died when the Ford Mondeo she was in crashed in Portland Road, Hove, on October 12.

Two other nursery nurses travelling in the car were seriously injured.

Victoria Browne, 19, from Brighton, had to have both her legs amputated and was yesterday still in a critical condition.

Rebecca Fish, from Hove, lost one leg and suffered a shoulder injury. She was recovering at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

The three friends were on their way home from a night out when the crash happened at 11pm.

A 21-year-old barman has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and is due to appear at Lewes Crown Court on January 9.

Mr and Mrs McCabe have asked for any flowers or donations to be sent to the Chestnut Tree House Hospice, c/o Baker and Sons, 60 Church Road, Portslade.