THE family of a Kidderminster man killed with his son in a road traffic collision on the outskirts of the town has paid tribute to their "brilliant son and brother" who, they said, had a zest for life.

John Thacker, who was 43, died when the Jaguar XKR he was driving on a shopping trip was involved in a collision with a red Vauxhall Corsa on the A456 near Hodge Hill Nurseries, after which it left the road and hit a tree.

The collision happened at 12.20pm on Sunday. Mr Thacker's son, Matthew, known as Matty, 10, also died in the collision but his daughter, Emma, 15, survived and is currently in a stable condition with a fractured pelvis at the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch.

The Corsa driver, a 22-year-old man from Kidderminster, was uninjured but suffered shock.

Mr Thacker was divorced from his children's mother and although he is from Kidderminster, where his parents still live, he had moved to a property at Harvington about two years ago.

His sister, Jane Ratcliff, who lives in Stourbridge, said: "John was a brilliant son and brother and a fantastic father to Emma and Matthew.

"In his 43 years, John did more than many people would in double his years. He worked hard and also played hard - nothing was too much trouble for him."

Mr Thacker, who was a regional sales manager for Leicester-based Flo Gas, was described as a lovely man who was hugely popular and had a zest for life.

As a youngster, he attended the former Harry Cheshire High School in Kidderminster and after finishing his education went to work as a farmer in America.

Returning to the UK, he took up long distance lorry driving, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who owned a haulage business.

He worked for various local hauliers before becoming a sales representative.

Until recently, he played rugby for Chaddesley Corbett and his children followed his enthusiasm for the sport. He was a fan of Worcester Warriors and also had an interest in Leicester Tigers.

Another of his sporting interests was tennis - he played at Cutnall Green Tennis Club - and he also had a passion for hot air ballooning.

Mrs Ratcliff said her brother was good fun and "once met was never forgotten". She added: "This tragic accident has left such a void in so many people's lives."

Police have appealed for witnesses to the collision which happened while both vehicles involved were travelling towards Kidderminster from Blakedown. Officers particularly want to talk to anyone travelling in the same direction who saw the vehicles before the collision and also to those motorists who stopped at the scene afterwards.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call the road policing unit on 08457 444888.