The family of a 34-year-old woman who died in a crash near Ipswich have said her "beautiful smile and infectious personality could bring light into the darkest days". 

Emergency services were called to a serious crash involving a red Ford Fiesta and a white Isuzu D-Max pick-up in the Strand, at Wherstead, at about 7.25am on Tuesday. 

Clair James, from Felixstowe, was driving the Ford Fiesta and died at the scene. 

In a heartfelt tribute, her family said: "On Tuesday, September 5, 2023 our lives as we know it, and our future we thought we knew, changed in a split second.

“Our beloved daughter to Ward and Heather, sister to Vicky and Robert, cousin and auntie, girlfriend and friend, Clair Michele James, passed away at the age of 34.

Ipswich Star: Clair James was from Felixstowe Clair James was from Felixstowe (Image: Suffolk Police)

“Clair came into this world on February 25, 1989.

"She faced many challenges in her life, but she never let them get her down and she conquered everything the world chucked at her.

"She was finally the happiest she had ever been in her life, she had just got a promotion to assistant manager at work where she was a child care practitioner and had finally met the love of her life, Charlie.

“The world is cruel and whilst we are left with the pain, we know Clair was loved by so many people from her family to her many friends including those made via her love of Majorettes and work in child care. She loved children and they loved her back equally.

Ipswich Star: The road closure after the crashThe road closure after the crash (Image: Glennys Townshend)

“Her beautiful smile and infectious personality could bring light into the darkest days and that is what will get us through.

"We will try and honour Clair by living life to the fullest like she did. We will embrace every day and hope to make her as proud of us as we are of her. Always.”

Officers would like to hear from any witnesses to the collision and are also asking any motorists driving in the area at the time with a dashcam to review footage for any material that may be of assistance. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Joint Norfolk & Suffolk Serious Collision Investigation Unit, quoting reference number 37/51715/23.