A woman told of the moment she discovered her brother had been killed and her husband seriously injured in a head-on smash.

Naila Hussain, 21, and her family paid tribute to Mohammed Raheel Hussain who died on Friday April 2 after his sports car collided with a Royal Mail van.

Raheel, 23, died just three days after celebrating his second wedding anniversary with his wife Aysha, a law graduate, and their 14-month-old son Abdusami.

Naila, who has a three-year-old son Numaan, said: "Someone phoned and said my husband had been in an accident but I did not know my brother was there.

"When I arrived I didn't know it was so bad but the road was cordoned off and I had to walk almost three miles towards the scene.

'"They told me one person had died and when they said it was a Mazda I knew my brother was there too.

"I was shocked that either of them had survived when I saw the state the car was in -- it was like a crushed can.

"We are all devastated. My parents feel empty and lost and my brothers and cousins have lost the person they looked up to.

"We are now all praying for Basharat."

In a family statement Raheel was described as "A very much loved son, husband, brother and father who was a role model to young Asians".

It continued: "Raheel will be much missed not only by his family but the whole community. He had achieved so much in such a short span of time but unfortunately he cannot enjoy his achievement."

Raheel's brother-in-law Basharat Hussain, 26, who was a passenger in the car travelling on the A677 towards Preston, is in intensive care at Royal Preston Hospital with serious facial injuries and a fractured skull.

Raheel opened Simi's takeaway in Little Harwood last year and was due to open a second business, Simi's Curry Palace, in Preston on Wednesday.

He had been driving to the premises with Basharat, who was due to manage the business, when the collision occurred near Samlesbury Hall.

His car collided with a 7.5 tonne Royal Mail delivery van, driven by Terry Gifford, of Rishton, which was travelling towards Blackburn.

Mr Gifford suffered severe cuts to his legs but returned home after hospital treatment.

Raheel suffered multiple injuries and died at the scene.

Raheel's mother Naseim, 44, said: "He was a really good son and always respected me and everyone.

"He was his dad Nazim's favourite and he is going to miss him a lot.

"His wife cannot really take this in because it is such a big loss."

The family, of Whalley New Road, including Raheel's four sisters and two brothers expressed their thanks to the police, paramedics, hospital staff and members of the public who have helped them since the collision.

Chorley Police are investigating the cause of the collision. PC Mike Horton said: "This is a notorious stretch of road where two people were killed last year.

"We still have to determine the cause of this collision.

"Anybody with any information should contact Chorley police on 01257246281."