A family who lost two young girls in a car crash today paid tribute to their "very special angels".

Relatives of Rebecca Hassell, 15, and Lucy Hassell, 12, said their lives had been "tragically altered" by the smash which also claimed the life of their mother's partner Theodorius Lubbe, known as Dick, 44.

Amanda Hassell, the girls' mother, and their 17-year-old sister survived the head-on smash on the A264 at Bewbush near Crawley, on Saturday, October 15.

A statement released by the family yesterday said: "We have lost two very special angels, Rebecca and Lucy, and also Dick, a fantastic partner and father to Matt, Ben and Dan. They were all taken away from us so suddenly and unexpectedly. They were all well loved by so many people and will never be forgotten.

"We would like to thank everyone, who have visited or been in contact for their kind understanding, cards and flowers.

"We have lost so much and would request that we be left to grieve in peace during this very difficult time, with our friends and family."

The Hassells and Mr Lubbe, whose live in the village of Fishbourne, near Chichester, were in a Land Rover Freelander which was in collision with a black Ford Focus.

Witnesses saw the Ford travelling north cross the busy dual carriageway and collide with the Freelander.

The Ford's driver, a 31-year-old man from Crawley, was treated for minor injuries.

He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and then released on bail.

He is due to be questioned again by police on Friday.

Businessman Tim Powell, whose firm, Holmbush Blinds, is based near the crash site, has called for safety measures to be put in place.

He said there had been between 30 and 40 crashes there since he set up his company ten years ago.

Mr Powell, 45, said: "It is a horrible dual carriageway and something needs to be done. We have repeatedly asked West Sussex County Council to do something about it."