THE devastated family of car loving Joe Hayward who died in a traffic accident have paid tribute to a man who was kind and gentle but had a sense of mischief.

Mr Hayward, who grew up in Devizes, died in an accident on the A4381 at Broad Hinton on March 10 just days before his 27th birthday as he was taking his beloved Peugeot 106 for a drive.

A close friend who was in the passenger seat received serious cuts to his head and the accident was witnessed by another friend who was in a car behind. Police are still appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage of the crash which also involved a Chrysler Voyager.

Mr Hayward is a former pupil of St Joseph's primary in Devizes and St Augustine's, Trowbridge.

This week as the family prepare for Mr Hayward's funeral at St Michael's Church in Melksham at 2.30pm on April 10 his mother Dorothy Carlton spoke about her son who used to keep spare car parts in his bedroom and always had several cars on the drive as he was growing up in Rowde with his brother Christopher, 29, sister Poppy, 24 and father Peter.

Mrs Carlton, who now lives in Potterne with her husband Graham, said: "Joe was in to taking anything and everything apart from a very young age. Before he got into cars it was bikes. He would build them himself.

“Everything he did was about cars. He never wanted to go abroad on holiday. He loved his family and friends and was often called upon to fix their cars in his spare time.

“He was immensely well liked and we have taken comfort from the messages we have received. His friends in the Peugeot 106 club are talking about trying to rebuild the car that he was in in the accident. It shows how much they cared about him.”

The family has asked for donations at his funeral to the road safety charity Brake. His mum said: “They have been very supportive of us.”

Joe studied motor sport engineering at Lackham College, near Chippenham, and then joined Audi in Swindon as an apprentice.

His mum and his stepdad Graham Carlton visited Audi earlier this week and were touched by the regard in which he was held.

Paul Hickey the retired head of St Joseph's said: "Joey attended St. Joseph's school along with his brother and sister. I have nothing but fond and positive memories of all the family because they always gave total support and contributed in so many different ways to school life. I remember him as a lovely child who was very popular."

Colleagues at Audi said: "His death has stunned us al. We all miss not seeing his smiling face come bounding through the workshop.

"His birthday was on March 15, we held a birthday party in his honour in the workshop and blasted out some of his favourite tunes chosen from his playlists, we know that’s what he would have wanted, a celebration.

"We will be closing down the workshop on the afternoon of 10th April as a mark of respect and in order that many of his colleagues will be able to attend his funeral.

"Joe will always be missed; he has left a massive void that will be impossible to fill, but he has also left us with a lot of great memories."

His family want to invite anyone who knew Mr Hayward to his funeral and afterwards at The Crown in New Park Street, Devizes.