The family of a woman killed in a car crash last weekend have paid tribute to a “beautiful, selfless and loving” daughter and sister.

Amelia Jayne Szelewski, 25, died after the crash on the southbound carriageway of the A1(M) between Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City on Sunday, April 16.

She had been travelling back from a weekend away in Lincolnshire with her boyfriend Chris Burke, aged 35, and younger sister Celia, where they had enjoyed a break with her two elder sisters and a group of friends.

Amelia, from Northolt, leaves her mother Cathy, 60, her father Spike, aged 62, and her sisters Nina, 28, Olivia, 26, and 22-year-old Celia.

The third youngest of four girls, Amelia was born at Ealing Hospital on September 12, 1991 and grew up in Northolt.

When the Szelewskis’ youngest daughter Celia was born in 1995, Cathy says Amelia instantly adored the newest addition to the family.

Cathy added: “We feel so privileged to have had Amelia in our life for 25 years. I feel privileged to be her mum, and what is comforting me right now is to know that she will be forever young.

“She won’t ever feel pain again; she won’t ever feel anxious again. She is at peace now. We’ve made a promise to her that we’re going to make her proud, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

Amelia attended Northolt Park Infants School followed by Greenwood Primary School and Northolt High School, where teachers praised the popular pupil for her enthusiasm.

The family are staunch supporters of Arsenal Football Club and all four girls played for Belmont United Youth FC until their mid-teens.

Her father recalled how Amelia’s talent on the pitch led to her being scouted to play for Watford Ladies FC, where she was part of the club for four years.

Sister Olivia, who works in property, said: “Amelia knew so many people. Every time we went into a pub, someone else would stop to chat to her – she was just that sort of person. She was the life and soul of the party.

“When we were away at the weekend, she didn’t stop laughing the whole time. She was so cheeky but she always retained this angelic, childlike innocence. I used to call her my angel.

“Even though there was only 14 months between us I always felt so protective of her. She was my little baby. Everywhere she went, she lit up the room. There was genuinely nothing bad you could say about her. She had such a good heart.”