A FAMILY has spoken of the waste of their popular son's life in an accident on the A1(M).

Barry Spence, 33, who lived in a bungalow in Gilesgate, Durham City, was killed when he was hit by a BMW heading south near Newton Aycliffe, early on Sunday.

His father, also called Barry, said his son was lying in the road and a car drove over him. He said he did not blame the driver for the accident.

He said he believed his son, who had become an alcoholic following the break-up of his marriage, may have ended up on the side of the motorway. He was involved in a row with the driver of the car he had been travelling in and had probably been drinking strong cider.

"He was very well loved by everybody. He was very popular,'' said Mr Spence, of Peel Avenue, Gilesgate Moor. "It just seems such a waste. His mates have been up here crying their eyes out.''

Mr Spence, his wife, Maureen, and daughter, Tracey, have been devastated by the tragedy.

Mr Spence junior worked for a time as an outddoors pursuits instructor in the Pyrenees, where he met his future wife, Debbie, who he married in 1996.

They moved to Mersea Island, in Essex, and had a daughter, Megan, now seven.

Mr Spence said that after the couple split up, his son returned to the region, working on building sites, until he broke both heels helping a friend work on his caravan.

He said: "He and Debbie kept in contact. They could not live together, but they still loved each other. She will be coming to the funeral."

Police have appealed for witnesses to call their accident investigation unit on 0191-375 2159.