FRIENDS and colleagues of a cyclist who was killed in Oxford have described their devastating loss.

Joanna Braithwaite, 34, died after she was involved in a crash with a cement mixer lorry in Woodstock Road on Friday.

It is thought she was riding along Polstead Road and into Woodstock Road when the accident happened just after 9am.

Miss Braithwaite worked at St Aldate’s Church as PA to the rector, The Rev Charlie Cleverly, and was cycling to the church when the collision happened.

The Polstead Road resident helped organise the annual Love Oxford Christian festival in South Park and worked at Holiday Lettings in Banbury Road from 2004 to 2008.

Mr Cleverly said yesterday: “She had worked for the good of Oxford, whether young people, the poor or the unity of the Church.

“She shared our vision as a church, that there should be no needy person in the community, and she served that vision with all her heart. We cannot quantify her importance to the church.”

He added: “We are devastated because we miss her so badly, but we are comforted that we believe she is in the presence of God.”

Worship pastor Lauren Keenan said: “She was one of my best friends. I used to live with her, I worked here with her and I have been on holidays with her.

“For this church, they have lost a very valued member but for us, personally, we have lost a friend, a sister and a companion.”

She added: “She was going to be one of my bridesmaids at my wedding next year. I am absolutely devastated.”

Prayers were said for Miss Braithwaite at the city centre church’s Sunday service and flowers were left at the scene of the accident.

Cans of diet coke were left in tribute to Miss Braithwaite, who wrote on her Twitter profile that she “runs mostly on diet coke”.

Miss Braithwaite was single and attended school in London and studied theology at the University of Birmingham.

Youth pastor Oliver Benyon, who worked with her from 2005 to 2007, said: “She was brilliant with teenagers – she was a role model to them – and she loved serving them.

“I am sure there are countless teenagers that would be very grateful for the work she did.”

He added: “I feel pretty numb to be honest. It has not really sunk in yet.

“Yesterday, I had notes in my pigeon hole from her and that brought a tear to my eye, knowing that is not going to happen any more.”

Curate Phil Atkinson said: “She was full of life and gave over and above what would normally be expected.

“We have been overwhelmed with the number of emails from members of the congregation expressing their sadness at her death.”

Church warden Tim Wraith said: “She was the glue that kept the church running. It is a huge loss.”

The city’s last cycling death was in 2009, Oxfordshire County Council figures show.

A 74-year-old man who was driving the lorry was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been bailed until December 6.