Tributes have poured in for a 25-year-old who died after crashing into a tree earlier this month.

Matthew Richardson, from North Weald, died from his injuries following the crash in Chelmsford Road, Hatfield Heath, at around 11.10pm on Thursday, August 8.

Paying tribute to Mr Richardson, girlfriend Becky Painter said: “I will love you and miss you forever.

“You were the best boyfriend I could have ever asked for and you did everything for me because that was who you were.

“Everyone else came first without a thought in it. I will cherish all of the memories and time we had together.

“I will never forget the smell of your aftershave or the loud rumble of the Galaxie as you picked me up.

“My heart is well and truly broken and you have taken it with you. I can’t wait for the day I get to see you again. I know you’ll always be with me wherever I go.

“You were such an inspiration to so many people.

“If you thought you wanted to do something, you did it, no care about other peoples’ opinions.

“You achieved so much and we are all so proud of you. Everyone says how glad they are that you found me but to be honest, I’m so glad I found you.

"You meant the world to me and always will. Your heart couldn’t have been any bigger.

“You were always the one to make people laugh in any situation, make things awkward when you said the wrong thing or just be there for moral support and for someone to moan to.

“I still expect you to just text me and say you're outside or to just walk round the corner. I will take the Galaxie for a drive for you like we were going to.

“I will try to make you proud and every step I take, I will be thinking of you.

“I love you and just want you back. Look after my heart up there and enjoy driving your GT3 RS in ruby stone pink. I will find you one day and we will continue our journey.

“Sleep well babe. I love you forever and always.”

Essex Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash and would like to ask anyone with information or dash cam footage to come forward.

Please call the Serious Collision Investigations Team on 101 quoting incident 1421 of August 8.

Report information online at: www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.