TRIBUTES have been paid to a 71-year-old Chirk grandfather who died in a crash.

 Cyclist Brian Parker, of Longfield, was involved in a collision with a white Mazda pick-up truck on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Parker was taken by ambulance to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital where he later died.

County councillor for Chirk South Terry Evans said Mr Parker was very well known in the community and would be greatly missed.

He added: "I have known him for many years. It is so sad because he was a lovely chap with grandchildren and you would see him out and about. He was very active."

Mr Parker had worked for many years as a contractor for Cadbury’s at Chirk.

A spokesman for the company said: “He was well known by many on site. We are all very shocked by the news and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

A spokesman for North Wales Police appealed for witnesses to the collision.

“Officers were called at around 4.05pm on Tuesday to a report of a collision involving a pedal cyclist and a pick-up on the road known locally as the Trap bank between Chirk Bank and Chirk.

“A 71-year-old local man was taken to the Maelor Hospital by ambulance, where he sadly later died. The driver of the pick-up truck has been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.

“Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or seen the cyclist or the truck driving along the road prior to the collision is asked to contact PC Mark Lightfoot at the roads policing unit by dialling 101.”

Road closures were put in place at the scene of the collision, where both North Wales and West Mercia police officers attended.

The coroner has been informed.