A woman killed in a road accident as she walked to work at Heathrow on Friday was living her dream life in London, according to her devastated loved ones.

Kelly Dalgleish, 29, of Moorland Close, Whitton, died during a collision with a lorry at 8.50am in Shoreham Road East, in the airport.

She approached Worldwide Flight Services, where she worked as an executive secretary, when the tragedy happened.

Her partner Claire Jenkins, 25, said they had both travelled to England from Durban in South Africa in February to make their living here. 

She told the Chronicle she had only just celebrated her birthday two weeks ago with a visit to a show by the comedian Graham Norton.

Kelly's mother Ann, father Joe and brother Ross all flew to London as soon as they heard the shocking news.

Ross, 20, said: "She just had millions of friends. None of us can take in what has happened. My sister was such a bubbly person you can't take in that someone like this could leave you all behind."

Claire said the couple were delighted with how much there was to see in London and had made sure they saw the lights in Oxford Street and joined in all the fun of living in this area of London.

"She was a great runner, just like her father and brother, and she was becoming a regular feature at Crane Park and had also joined the Stragglers running club, in Kingston," she added.

She said the pair were aiming to have a same-sex wedding back in South Africa in the next year.

At the time of her death Miss Dalgleish had just heard that she had been given a dream job with in a communications organisation based near the Old Bailey in London.

Miss Dalgleish, who was born in Glasgow, emigrated to South Africa at the age of four after her father found a job as a toolmaker.

Her funeral is at St Edmunds of Canterbury Church in Nelson Road, Twickenham, tomorrow at 2.45 pm.

Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information can call Alperton Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8998 5319.

A 55-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was bailed to return to a police station in March.