Tributes have been paid to a retired care home manager from Lowestoft who died following a two-vehicle crash at the weekend.

Joan Cawcutt, aged 80, was a passenger in the collision on the A143 Bury Road at Wattisfield, near Diss, on Saturday, December 9.

Officers were called just before 3.55pm to reports of a crash involving a black Ford Mondeo and a black Hyundai Getz, approximately 160 yards south of the Townhouse Lane junction.

Mrs Cawcutt was a passenger in the Hyundai and died at the scene.

In a statement released by Suffolk Police, Mrs Cawcutt's family paid tribute to 'the most kindest and gentlest soul you could ever hope to meet.'

They said: 'Joan Cawcutt was a retired care home manager from Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, and more recently of Brockdish in Norfolk.

'Widow of Raymond Francis Cawcutt and mother to Geoff, Christine and Pauline. Grandmother to Matthew, Rebecca, Rachel and Sarah and great-grandmother to Samuel and Addelyn.

'Dear friend of Phyllis and many others. The most kindest and gentlest soul you could ever hope to meet. Cruelly taken from us. Will be sorely missed by many.

'Rest in Peace. Until we meet again.'

The male driver of the Hyundai Getz and the female driver of the Ford Mondeo were both treated by ambulance crews for minor injuries.

Following the collision, a 38–year-old woman from the Bury St Edmunds area was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs. She has been questioned by officers and released under investigation pending further enquiries.

The road was closed between the B1113 and Summer Road while a collision investigation took place, but reopened at 8.30pm the same day.

Any witnesses, or anyone with information about the incident, is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Team on 101 quoting reference CAD 258 of December 9.