A NEIGHBOUR today paid tribute to the loving husband who died after driving the wrong way on to the M65.

An inquest was opened yesterday into the death of David Uttley who died last Friday after an accident near junction 6 of the motorway in Blackburn.

Mr Uttley, 55, of Whiteplatt Street, Todmorden, was involved in a collision with another vehicle at 7am and later died of multiple injuries at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

The inquest has been adjourned until May 15.

Mr Uttley's neighbour Kirsty Sutcliffe, 24, said she was shocked to hear of his death.

She said had known him and his wife Judith since she moved next door to them more than four years ago and believed he worked in Accrington.

She said: "They kept themselves to themselves really but they seemed a lovely couple. They lived there at least four years and were always really friendly.

"My stepdad told me what had happened the morning Mr Uttley died and I was really shocked.

"My stepdad used to chat to him in the street. He was out on the front street with him on the Wednesday before he died looking for salt bins to put on the road because it was really icy.

"He was probably quite well known in Todmorden because he and Judith used to go out every Saturday and Sunday.

"I think he did painting and decorating in his spare time and he loved motorbikes. I've seen him out on his motorbike several times.

"They didn't have any children but they always had lots of friends round."