Friends have paid tribute to a former Kingston University student who was crushed to death by a central London bus while cycling last week, seven days before her 26th birthday.

Jayne Helliwell, who lived on Fairfield South and studied illustration and animation, died four hours after the collision with the 390 bus near Tottenham Court Road at 1pm on Wednesday, 14 April.

Writing on the digital marketing consultancy website brilliantlydifferent.tumblr.com, one friend said: “She was wonderfully warm, so very caring and meant a huge amount to a great number of people.

“Jayne will not only be remembered for being a lovely person but also for her catalogue of astonishingly fantastic art.

“Most tragic of all, Jayne was at the very cusp of true brilliance and the wide public was picking up on her work.”

Former tutor Damian Gascoigne, said: “Jayne was one of the most driven and talented students I have had the pleasure to teach.

"She was already making connections for her future career while still a student, impatient to get ahead, with a very clear idea of who and what she wanted to be.

“She was a seriously talented image maker, with her own distinctive voice. I will remember her always as a sparky and sassy individual with a fantastic energy about her.

“To lose such a person at this stage of their development, and with so much she wanted to do in life, is a tragedy that is impossible to do justice with words.”

Transport for London said accidents between cyclists and buses were very rare, with three cyclists killed in such incidents over the past four years.

A spokesman said: “We are very saddened to hear that Jayne Helliwell died following a collision with a route 390 bus on Oxford Street on April 14.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with her family and friends at this time. We will work with the police and bus operating company, Metroline, to fully investigate the incident.”

The Metropolitan Police said a 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by driving without due care and attention, and was bailed to return in June pending further inquiries.

Police urged witnesses to contact Catford Traffic Garage on 8285 1574.