A heartbroken husband whose wife was mowed down and killed in front of him has revealed his anguish at losing "the perfect wife and perfect friend".

Mum-of-two Kremena Mersinkova, 40, died when a car driven by a suspected drink driver struck her in Godstone Road, Purley on Saturday morning.

She had been walking home from work with husband Plamen Mersinkov, 45, who was injured when the Citreon Saxo careered off-road and ploughed through a garden fence just after 4am.

The couple, who had been working a night shift together as cleaners at University College Hospital, were just minutes away from the home in Whyteleafe that they shared with their 16-year-old daughter Rosemary.

They leapt in opposite directions in a bid to avoid the car as it veered towards them, but Mrs Mersinkova could not get out of its way. She died of her injuries at the scene.

A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while drunk.

Mr Mersinkov, who was treated for a dislocated shoulder at St George's Hospital, revealed the collision had shattered the dreams of a family who moved to England from Bulgaria just months ago in search of a better life.

He said: "She was the perfect wife and the perfect friend. She was the perfect mother to our daughters.

"She was an angel, she was my best friend, she was my dream. She was the dream of a lot of people, but she was mine. And now I have not got her in my future.

The couple - whose other daughter, Vicky, 21, lives in Bulgaria - ran a cleaning company together called KPVR.

They enjoyed sightseeing and walking in parks together, and often usually walked home after night shifts because there were no buses to where they lived.

Mr Mersinkov said: "We came here for education for our daughter and for work, and now this."

Grieving friends also paid tribute to Mrs Mersinkova, who moved to Croydon in March last year. Vicky remained in Bulgaria to study.

Dilianka Dimitrova, who shared a house in Shirley with the family until September and saw them most weekends, said: "She was a very good person.

"She cared about people when they were down and she loved to hug people. She would put everyone else first.

"I saw her the day before it happened and was her usual self - nice, smiling. She would smile no matter what.

She added: "It is such a shock for everyone. This will stay with us all for the rest of our lives."

Friends also added tributes online, with Mariana Dobreva writing: "Rest in peace Kremy my friend. I’m really sad but I hope you are in a better place you will always be in our hearts."

Margarita Hristova said: "Rest in peace I always remember your beautiful smile."

A post-mortem into Mrs Merskinov's death was due to take place on Tuesday.

The driver of the car has been bailed until April.