DEVASTATED neighbours have described the death of a popular Winsford pensioner as an 'horrific shock'.

Norman Clark, 74, was killed and his wife Mary, 71, was injured when their car collided with an HGV outside Leighton Hospital on Thursday, October 7.

The crash took place at 4.30pm when the couple, of Bradbury Road, were driving along the A530 Middlewich Road at its junction with Flowers Lane and their Vauxhall Carlton collided with a Volvo tipper truck.

Pauline McCabe, of Bradbury Road, said the community was in a state of shock and close friends and neighbours were 'absolutely devastated'.

She said: "I've known him ever since I moved here eight years ago and he was a lovely, lovely man."

Pauline said her children used to help the couple with their shopping and loved spending time with them.

She said: "He was a loyal neighbour and was really good with the children, they used to help him with the shopping and he would give them sweets.

"You couldn't wish to meet a nicer person. He was genuine, kind and everybody loved him."

Pauline said neighbours and friends had rallied round to offer their support for Mrs Clark and said Mrs Clark had been out in a car at the weekend.

She said: "It's going to be very difficult for her, she's a lovely lady and she'll be lost without him."

Pauline said Mr Clark's death would be a great loss to all who knew him.

She said: "Everybody loved him and only ever had a good word to say about him.

"I'll miss him and my children will miss him - it's very sad."

gsproston@guardiangrp.co.uk