A MUCH-LOVED great-grandmother has died after being hit by a bicycle in a seafront road.

Her family have paid tribute to the 71-year-old and said she “will be missed so much by everyone”.

Sandy Burfield was involved in a collision with a bike on Friday afternoon and police said she sustained “a serious head injury”.

The air ambulance was called and landed on the beach near where the incident happened in Marine Parade, Worthing.

Mrs Burfield, who lived in nearby Grand Parade, was then rushed to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton by road for treatment.

But a Sussex Police spokesman today said she had died at the hospital two days later.

Her family have issued a statement paying tribute to their mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

They said: “Sandy Burfield, mum to Carl and Marc Burfield and to Emma Hansford, had seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

“She was full of love and lived life to the full.

“She will be missed so much by everyone.

“She was the life and soul of the party and loved so much by everyone that knew her.”

The cyclist involved in the incident was not injured.

The collision happened at 2.50pm on Friday and the road was closed off in the area surrounding Worthing Pier for several hours afterwards.

Sussex Police are now appealing for witnesses of the incident.

A spokesman said: “Anyone who was what happened can contact the police online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Garston.”