A DEVASTATED student today told of how her world had been turned upside down after her childhood sweetheart was killed in a road accident.

Anthony Wastell, 21, of Allerton Close, Darwen, died when his Piaggio Vespa scooter collided with a milk van.

Sonia Foster-Duffin, a law student at Manchester Metropolitan University, fought back tears today as she revealed her boyfriend was killed just five days after her 19th birthday.

And she said the couple, who had been together since she was 14, were looking forward to going on a holiday to Fuerteventura this Friday.

On the evening of Anthony's death, his driving instructor was set to surprise him by telling him she had put him forward for his driving test.

The accident happened in Marsh House Lane, Darwen, at 6pm on Friday as Anthony travelled to Sonia's house, off Highfield Mews.

He and Sonia had been together at the JJB gym, in Haslingden Road, Guide, just 30 minutes earlier.

Sonia said: "His tea was waiting on the table for him but he just never arrived.

"I kept phoning his mobile phone but it was switched off. He never used to switch his phone off and he was never late so I just knew that something was wrong.

"My mum was looking out of the window for him while I phoned the hospital to see if he had been brought in. But I already knew that he had.

"The doctors told me he was being assessed and to come down straight away but I already knew he had gone."

Anthony is the third person to lose his life on the steep stretch of road and in February 2005 a motorcyclist received serious leg injuries after colliding with a car on the road.

Sonia's mum, Sheila Duffin, added: "In time we will fight to get things changed so nobody else has to face such a terrible tragedy.

"Anthony was a wonderful, strong and respectful young man whose life has been wasted. He was part of our family and always protected Sonia.

"They spent every day together and were very much in love. We just can't believe that such a young life has been lost."

The accident happened less than half a mile from Sonia's family home and already boquets of flowers have been placed at the scene to pay tribute to the glass designer, who worked for plastics firm GAP at Shadsworth industrial estate.

Sonia said: "Anthony was always such good fun and loved winding people up.

"I just keep expecting him to walk in through the door and tell me that this has all been just one big joke.

"We spent every day together and did everything as a couple. He was either staying at mine or I was staying at his mum and dad's and when I finished my degree we had already planned to find our own place and live together.

"I can't believe I won't see him again."

Sonia described Anthony as someone who loved life, playing football and going to the gym and said he was friends with everyone.

He played for three football teams, including the five-a-side team Fox and Hounds and for SAPS at the JJB.

He had become part of her family and her 11-year-old brother who doted on Anthony burst into tears when he heard about the accident.

Sonia said: "We are all absolutely heartbroken.

"Anthony's brother Andrew was in South Africa on Friday and is trying to get home as quickly as possible to be there for his parents.

"He has managed to get to Dubai and is on stand-by for the next flight back to Manchester."

Anthony had lived in the Marsh House area of Darwen for all his life and Sonia said he knew the roads well.

She said he had had a scooter for almost three years so he could travel to and from work.

She said: "Me and his mum always used to worry about him on his scooter but he would say I will never crash. I am sensible. It won't happen to me.' "He was really looking forward to passing his driving test he had already passed his theory and getting a car. He was so strong and healthy. He hardly ever drank and loved spending time with me and taking his dog out.

"I can only think that the crash must have been awful because he was a fighter and if anyone could survive an accident then he could."

Sonia's family said that once they have come to terms with Anthony's death they want to campaign to make Marsh Hose Road safer.

Anthony will be buried at Darwen Cemetery after a funeral at Saint Peter's Church. The date has yet to be set by Anthony's mum Diane and stepdad Dave. He also had a younger sister, 11-year-old Adrienne.

Anyone who witnessed or has any information about the accident should call police on 01254 353764 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.