TRIBUTES have been paid to a “lovely lad” who died when the car he was travelling in crashed into a fence during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Anthony “Duggy” Dunn was travelling with a group of friends in a black VW Polo when the car left the road between Witton Park and High Grange on the outskirts of Crook, County Durham, at around 5.30am.

The 21-year-old, from nearby Howden-le-Wear, was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance crew.

Last night, the driver of the car, a man in his twenties from the Crook area, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Prior to his arrest, police appealed to the public for help to trace the man, who has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Two other local men of a similar age were also arrested on suspicion of the same offence and have been released on bail.

Mr Dunn’s father, Anthony Dunn senior, 61, from Crook, said he could not believe what had happened and felt utterly devastated.

“It was such a shock when I found out,” he said. “It was the worst thing I have ever been told. He was just a lovely lad and I will miss him so much.”

Many friends and relatives have left flowers at the scene of the crash and others took to Facebook to pay tribute to Mr Dunn and express their condolences to his family.

Susan Martindale said: “RIP. A nice friendly lad. God bless.”

Alex Gittens said: “RIP Duggy lad, too young to be taken away.”

Beverley Glendenning said: “A tragic accident that has taken another young life too soon. My condolences to his lovely family XXX.”

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Traci McNally, from Durham CID, urged anyone who witnessed the accident to contact the police.

She said: "We have set up an incident room at Bishop Auckland police station to co-ordinate our enquiries and detectives from the force’s CID team and road policing unit are assisting with this investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Durham Police on 101.