More tributes have been paid to two young men killed in a car crash.

Matt Preece, 21, from Lindfield, near Crawley, and Marc Martin, 22, a father of two from Haywards Heath, were in the back of a BMW when it hit a tree and flipped on to its roof near Handcross.

The friends both died later in hospital.

The driver was also taken to hospital seriously injured.

The crash happened just after 10pm on Wednesday night when the BMW was travelling in High Beeches Lane towards Handcross village.

Hanna Taylor, a friend of Matt Preece, described the 21-year-old as always smiling and laughing.

She said: “He was a lovely young man. He always knew how to cheer you up no matter what. A fun, bubbly guy with a lot of friends.

“He didn’t care about embarrassing himself as long as everyone was smiling and laughing. There is no other way to describe him. The best always get taken. Always remembered.”

The driver of the car, a 20-year-old man from Lindfield, was seriously injured and taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, after the crash at about 10pm.

A 16-year-old girl, from Haywards Heath, who was sitting in the front passenger seat suffered minor injuries and was treated at hospital before being released.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Martin’s mother, Marie Smith, pleaded for young drivers to take care on the roads.

She said: “I love Marc so much. Two little boys have lost their dad. I feel for the other family. We just want to grieve now and look after his sons.”

Friends and family also paid tribute to the pair on social media.

Writing on Mr Preece’s Facebook page, Barry Robinson wrote: “Today two lives were lost in a car accident, Matt Preece and his friend Marc. While I only knew Matt, I know any friend of his would be as cool as he was. Matt, you were one of the nicest young lads I’ve met in many years and there will be a huge void left in many lives.”

Kate Boyd said: “Can’t get my head around it. You always made me laugh. Always made me smile. Thinking of your family right now.”

Any witnesses should call Sussex Police on 101 or email: collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Ashwick.