The heartbroken partner of a man who collapsed and died suddenly on holiday in front of their young daughter has spoken of her loss.

Loving dad Luke Ditton, 38, suffered a cardiac arrest on the first day of a Spanish break with Davina Stevens and four-year-old Emily.

His untimely death was on the 14th anniversary of the day the couple met on a blind date at a pub in Rochester.

Hours before the family, from Rochester, had been enjoying a night out at a disco at their hotel in Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava.

Luke, a civil engineer and foreman, tucked Emily into bed and Davina had dozed off while he went to the bar for a nightcap.

About two hours later, he returned and Davina was woken by "a loud crashing sound".

Luke had collapsed on the floor, pulling a curtain rail with him as he tried to get out of bed.

At first Davina, a social worker, thought he had too much to drink and, after propping him up with a pillow, left him where he had fallen.

Meanwhile Emily awoke and turned to her mum saying "daddy has gone blue".

Realising the true horror of what had happened, Davina called for help at reception.

Ambulance and police arrived within minutes, but it was too late.

The next few hours are a blur for Davina.

She said: "I was in shock. But the hotel staff were brilliant. Emily wanted to play and they got one of the lifeguards to take her for a swim and others took her to the soft play area."

An autopsy in Spain revealed that Luke, who had blood pressure issues but no detected heart problems, had suffered a cardiac arrest on Monday, June 4.

Mother and daughter returned to their home the next day and Luke's body was flown back the following Saturday.

After giving birth to Emily in January 2014, Davina contracted sepsis and was transferred to St Thomas Hospital in London fighting for her life.

As she gradually made a recovery, Luke was given four months off work to look after their baby.

She said : "It created a huge bond between them. They were incredibly close. They would sneak off while I was at work to the park, or McDonald's. He was a hands-on dedicated dad."

While coming to terms with Luke's death has been hard for both of them, Davina's experience in dealing with people has helped.

She said: "We have just talked and talked. She knows that her daddy has died and that his heart stopped beating."

The remarkable little girl, who is looking forward to starting school in September, has dotted pink Post-it notes around the house with messages to her daddy. And cards for Luke's birthday in May remain on the shelf.

"We have just talked and talked. She knows that her daddy has died and that his heart stopped beating" - Davina Stevens

His funeral will be next Monday at 11.30am St Justus Church,The Fairway in Rochester, followed by drinks at The Crown in Rochester High Street.

Davina said: "Everyone is welcome. Luke was very popular, one of the lads and had a great sense of humour. We are expecting a large turnout to say goodbye to this amazing man."

Luke has a mum, Kim, dad Gary, sisters Carla, Charlotte and Billie and half brother, Connor.