A MAN who died in a car crash near Bishop Auckland earlier this week has been described as a “loveable man with a heart of gold", as police today (Thursday, March 24) confirmed his identity.

Lee Cain, from West Cornforth, County Durham, died when a red VW Polo collided with his silver Peugeot 206 on the A668 West Auckland bypass on Monday night.

The 36-year-old worked with his father and younger brother, Bradley, at the family’s tyre fitting business in Spennymoor and had been with his partner, Jill, for the last two years.

On behalf of all the family, his parents Gail and Brian said: “We are devastated by what has happened.

"Lee was a loving son, brother, uncle and friend and words cannot describe the hole in our hearts now that he is no longer with us.

“Lee loved spending time with his friends and family, especially his young nephew, Lewis.

"He was a regular at the Square and Compass pub, where he could often be found telling jokes and recounting funny stories about himself.

“He was strong, tough and loveable and would do anything for anyone.”

Mr Cain, who was born in Shotley Bridge and brought up in West Cornforth, was also into keep fit and enjoyed weight training at his local gym.

The driver of the VW Polo a woman, 18, from Bishop Auckland was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital with neck and back injuries. Three other people travelling in the Polo were uninjured.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision and in particular anyone who was in the area at the time.

Contact police on 101 or the collision investigation unit on 0191-3752159.