RAF serviceman Paul Payne of Chippenham was killed last week when his car collided with a van in Reading Snr Aircraftman Payne, 23, had joined the RAF after leaving Wootton Bassett School and had served in Afghanistan and Kuwait with No. 2 Squadron, Tactical Communications Wing, 90 Signals Unit.

He was driving his Fiat Punto on the A329M towards Reading last Friday at 5.30pm when it collided with a Ford transit van after crossing the verge.

His mother Sally and father Chris, who moved from Wiltshire to Buckinghamshire when their son left school, said: “Paul was a devoted family person who was always polite, courteous and would always put others before himself.

“During his time at senior school he participated in many sports, particularly in rugby, where he played for the local team; his friends there would remember his table football skills.

“His heart was always set on following his fathers’ footsteps into the Royal Air Force and after a couple of part time jobs, he was elated when he was successful in May 2006.

Members of Wootton Bassett Rugby Club have paid tribute to Mr Payne. Steve Cameron, who co-ordinates youth and mini rugby at the club, said: “I am really shocked, and I am so sorry.”

Anne Tuffin was Mr Payne’s form tutor for six years when he was at Wootton Bassett school .

She said: “I remember him with great fondness for his enthusiasm for life.

“He enjoyed football and rugby and was an excellent mathematician. I was privileged to know Paul and I watched him grow into a fine young man.

“It was such a shock to hear of his tragic accident as he had his whole life in front of him.”

Heather Kerr, who was friends with Paul at school, said: “He was always making jokes, he knew they weren’t very funny, but he would be so happy to tell it that it made you laugh.”

Mr Payne leaves his sisters Abigail and Heather and a niece Holly.

Squadron Leader Rob Braybrook at RAF Leeming, where he was based said: “SAC Payne was an extremely valued member.

“He was an outstanding airman, who particularly excelled in the technical aspects of his trade.

“He was a very likeable young man with a quick wit and an infectious sense of humour.”