A 27-year-old DJ who was killed in a road accident was decribed by his family as "big hearted" with "a love for life".

Nick Gaysford, of Dale Avenue, Longton, died in the early hours of Sunday at the wheel of his car after crashing into a tree.

Police said Mr Gaysford was travelling along Lindle Lane towards Liverpool Road when he lost control of his Jaguar XJ6 at about 5.10am.

Police and paramedics were called but Mr Gaysford was pronounced dead at the scene. His family were too distraught to speak but released a statement.

It read: "Nick was the sort of person who could talk to everyone and cared about everyone.

"He touched many lives with his interests and enthusiasm. He had an infectious but innocent sense of humour and love for life."

The statement added that he was regarded as one of the top north west DJs and known to partygoers as 'Nicky G', and that he was technically minded with a mind for anything electrical or mechanical. It continued: "He always had a project in the pipeline and never had enough hours in the day.

"Loved as he loved us and sadly missed by his family and friends, he will always be in our thoughts as big hearted 'naughty Nick'."

A police spokesman said: "The vehicle is thought to have left the road in Lindle Lane and collided with a tree. It was just the one vehicle involved, he suffered serious head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

An inquest was open and adjourned yesterday.