A TALENTED sportsman and a popular craftsman - both in their 20s - were killed when their cars were involved in an horrific head-on crash on Monday night.

Craig Stocker, 21, of Staunton-on-Wye, and Andrew Fairclough, 28, of Bredwardine, both died on the main Hereford to Brecon road near the Garnons Estate at 9.15pm.

Police believe Mr Stocker's grey Vauxhall Calibra was travelling towards Hereford behind a white Leyland DAF minibus when it was in collision with Mr Fairclough's white Vauxhall Astra, which was heading towards Hay-on-Wye on the A438.

All three emergency services attended but could do little to save the young men, who were pronounced dead at the scene. The minibus driver escaped uninjured and the road remained closed for six hours as a detailed examination was carried out.

Michael Morris, assistant chaplain to Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire Brigade, was called out to help emergency staff and the victims' relatives who gathered at the Nelson Inn's car park following the crash.

Tributes were immediately paid to Craig, who was a popular sportsman in the county.

The former Whitecross High School student had represented Herefordshire in junior hockey and played for the city's first 11.

Hereford Hockey Club captain Chris Moody, who had coached Craig since he was a 10-year-old, said: "Craig had risen up from the fourth team when he was 13 or 14 right up to the first side."

"He was a real character, a rough diamond if you like, who lived life to the full. He was just such a nice guy, and it is a real sad, sad loss."

In silence

Mr Moody added that as a mark of respect to Craig, Hereford Hockey Club has called off its four scheduled men's team fixtures this weekend and the women will hold a minute's silence before their games and will wear black armbands as a mark of respect.

"We have also renamed the summer hockey league as 'The Bravo Summer League in Memory of Craig Stocker', so his name will never be forgotten," added Mr Moody.

Following secondary school, Craig studied leisure and tourism and went on to work in Torquay at an outdoor education centre before returning to Hereford to work at the Leisure Pool.

Simon Gwynne, centre manager at the pool, said: "Craig's death is a sad and tragic loss for all the staff at Hereford leisure pool and our thoughts and sympathy are with Craig's family at this time."

"Our thoughts are also with the other family involved in this tragedy."

Andrew Fairclough lived at New Cottages, Bredwardine, with Danielle and two young daughters, aged five and two.

Dennis Price, of The Weston, who was Andrew's landlord, said the young man had started-up his own carpentry business and seemed to have a lot of work.

He believed he had been attending a carpentry course in Hereford on the fateful night and was on his way home when the tragedy occurred.

"He was a very nice young man with a nice young family. He was a conscientious tenant.

"We are devastated at the loss - everybody in the village," said Mr Price.

Testament to his skill was a floral tribute at the roadside sent by the Pear Tree, Church Street, Hay-on-Wye, where he had carried out work.

Andrew's mother is Mary Fairclough of Talgarth, who runs Occasions of Hay.

Hereford Police are investigating the accident and have asked anyone who saw either vehicle before the accident on the A438 to call PC Phil Harvey on 08457 444888.