�The family of a young Gidea Park woman who was killed in a motorcycle accident have paid tribute to their “lively, bubbly, beautiful” daughter.

Jessica Ellis, 23, from Helen Road, was riding pillion with boyfriend Julian “Jules” Farley, 25, when they were thrown from his Triumph bike into a road sign. They died instantly.

Jessica’s devastated dad Tony Ellis told the Recorder that he had spoken to his only daughter the morning of the crash, on Saturday March 3.

Painful

“I will always treasure that phone call” he said, “she said she was going to B&Q in the morning and was visiting friends – it was all very mundane –which is ironic considering the events that followed.”

Jessica’s brother, university student Luke, 19, was at home this week comforting Tony and mum Sharon.

“We are a very, very close family,” said Tony. “In a way it makes it more tragic and more painful, and in another way we have no regrets; we always said how much we loved each other.”

Jessica and Jules were living together in Portsmouth – where she had gone to university – and were retuning from visiting friends, when they came off the machine, on the A339 between Basingstoke and Alton.

“Jessica and Jules both had so much life to live,” said Tony. “They had just moved in together were very happy and in love. He was a gentle, caring and sensible boy.”

Tony said his “hippy” daughter – a former Ardleigh Green Infants and Junior School pupil and later St Edward’s Secondary School student – was well-known in the area for driving a stand-out blue and cream Citroen 2CV she had bought when she was 16.

“Jessica was not a follower,” said Tony an environmental manager for Network Rail. “She didn’t follow any trends, she was very unique.

“Everyone used to say how lively, bubbly and beautiful she was, and that she always had a big smile on her face.

“She was only a little thing – well under five foot – but she was a big ray of sunshine.

“She was such a caring, warm daughter. Life with Jessica was never boring.”

Sharon, a teacher, said she had “good days and bad days” since the accident and wanted to thank all those who had sent “messages of sympathy and love” to the families.

Hundreds of cards of condolence have been pouring in to the Ellis family home. “The postman said he’s never delivered so many cards,” said Tony. “We have been taking comfort from all the messages of support.

Jessica’s memorial service will be held tomorrow (Saturday) at All Saints’ Church, in Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, at 3pm. All are welcome.

Julian’s funeral was due to be held today (Friday) in Wiltshire. The cause of the crash is under investigation.