A GRANDFATHER was killed when an articulated lorry swerving to avoid stationary vehicles collided with his van.

Christopher Taylor, 44, of Acre Avenue, Stacksteads, died at the scene when his Renault Master Van was in a head-on collision with the Volvo lorry.

The accident happened on the A1043 at Nunthorpe, a suburb of Middlesbrough.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "The Volvo was travelling north and took a left hand bend and swerved to avoid two stationary vehicles waiting to turn right and crossed into the south-bound carriageway of the bypass and collided with the van which was travelling South.

"As a result of the collision the driver of the van suffered fatal injuries and was taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital.

"We are still considering what further action may be taken against the driver of the Volvo, a 45-year-old man from Wigan." Mr Taylor leaves his wife Margaret, daughter Pamela, two sons Stephen, 13, and Christopher, 19, a grandson Daniel, a brother and sister.

His daughter Pamela Johnson said: "It has been a big shock to the whole family. It hasn't really sunk in. "We adopted Daniel ten months ago. We have had him since he was one and he had fitted into the family and he loved his grandad. I will be lost without him.

"My mum is numb and she is just taking one day at a time keeping herself busy.

"She has lots of flowers and so many cards from people they fill the window sill. My mum has taken comfort from being able to talk about my dad and that so many people have gone to see her."

Mr Taylor was working at the time of the accident on September 26 delivering for Petra Hellas, fireplace manufacturer of Stacksteads.

A partner in the firm Tracey Strudwick said: "He had worked for us for 18 months and he was very popular. We truly considered him to be a valued member of the company.

"We must have had sympathy cards from virtually every client of the business and we have passed these on to his wife."

Before working for Petra Hellas, Mr Taylor used to commute to work for Connolly Leather, of Ashford, Kent, cutting material for interiors for Rolls Royce cars and prior to that was manager for 23 years at C Worsick's Rossendale, in Waterfoot, cutters of material.

He was a steward at Thursby Lodge in Burnley.

Mr Taylor's funeral will be on Friday at 1pm at Holy Trinity Church, Tunstead, Stacksteads, before the interment in Bacup Cemetery at 1.30pm.