TRIBUTES have been paid to a Todmorden butcher who was killed when he was knocked down by two cars as he crossed a road in the town.

Wayne Stansfield was struck by two vehicles, believed to be travelling close to each other, as he crossed Halifax Road in Todmorden on Sunday night.

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Police said that he had been crossing the road at 9pm close to the Duke of York pub when he collided with the two vehicles, a black Audi A3 and a silver Toyota Yaris and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 48-year-old butcher, from Walsden, near Todmorden, worked for family-run firm J T Stansfield and Son in Halifax Road, which has been in the town for generations.

Susan Grice, speaking on behalf of the family, including wife Lisa, daughter Josie, and brothers Dean and Sean, said that he was “an absolute character”.

She added: “He always had a smile on his face and nothing ever used to get him down.

“He worked hard and he played hard.”

Not only was Wayne a keen dominoes player for the United Servicemen’s Club in Todmorden, but he also turned out at darts for the Glen View pub in Cornholme and was interested in hunting, shooting and fishing.

Wayne, who always used to complain about his bad luck, was a key figure when TV illusionist Derren Brown came to Todmorden to film a TV special.

He won £5,000 on the roll of a dice after rubbing the nose of Todmorden’s ‘lucky dog’ in Centre Vale Park.

Mrs Grice said that Derren had called Wayne on a number of occasions after filming to see how he was doing.

Family friend and Todmorden town councillor Abid Hussain said: “I have known Wayne and his family for many years and have been shocked to hear what had happened.

“Wayne had worked in the butchers for a long time and I think the butchers is third generation and been in the town about 50 years or so.

“He was very well-known and liked in the community, he was a very happy caring family man and will be sadly missed .”

DS Carole Greaves said the two vehicles involved were believed to be travelling close to each other at the time.

Anyone with information which relates to the incident can call police on 101.