A FAMILY has paid tribute to a popular Leominster man who was killed in a car crash last week.

Michael Healey, 32, died after the car he was travelling in was involved in a head-on collision with a lorry on the A443 near Lindridge last Thursday.

Mr Healey was airlifted to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he sadly later died. The driver of the car, Mr Healey’s 25-year-old fiancée Beky Stuchbery, was also treated at the scene and taken to hospital where she remains in a stable condition.

Paying tribute to him, Mr Healey’s mum, Carol Jones, sister, Tracey Austin, and dad, Martin Healey, said: “He would do anything for anyone, that’s why he was so popular.

“If you met him and were a complete stranger to him, in no time he would be talking like you were old mates. He was a very warm person."

Mr Healey went to Leominster’s infant and junior schools before continuing his studies at the Minster School.

He completed an apprenticeship at Jewson in Hereford before taking up a position at an insulation firm where he worked first as a storeman and later as a transport manager.

Most recently he worked at Seconds and Co in Presteigne.

He took part in judo for 10 years, helping to set up a club in Ludlow, and also played football although he particularly enjoyed running the line.

A memorial match was held in Brimfield last weekend, where players wore arm bands in his memory. They raised in the region of £450 through donations which will be split between the Midlands Air Ambulance charity and funeral costs.

Mr Healey had been with his fiancée, Miss Stuchbery, for three years. They were engaged on Valentine's Day this year and had been planning to marry next summer.

He was also best man for his best friend, Daniel Hough, and godfather to his eldest child.

He also loved darts, playing most recently for The Talbot.

His family also described him as ‘like a brother’ to his step-siblings and cousins as well as a loving uncle to his two nieces and one nephew.

“On most photographs he has a 'Wallace' smile,” they added. “He enjoyed life and he lived it to the full. Shooters was his second home, though Euphoria – when it was open – was a close second.

“He had lots of sayings including 'eating's cheating', 'pink is the new black' and 'it's gotta be done'."

Dozens of tributes were also paid to Mr Healey on social media, with his many friends describing what he meant to each of them.

His family, who also said Mr Healey had a wicked sense of humour, added: "He touched so many people in this town. People have been saying 'the whole town is with you, they are all mourning'."