THE grieving parents of a 22-year-old who died after his speeding car veered out of control today said the family had lost its "life and soul."

Matthew Hannon from Blackburn was killed after his Renault Clio clipped a traffic island as he attempted to overtake his friend's Clio in Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, at 8.40pm on Monday.

Mr Hannon, whose address has not been released, died at the scene.

His girlfriend, Nicola Lynch, 22, a passenger in the car, is in a "stable" condition at Blackburn's Royal Infirmary after suffering injuries to her head, neck and chest.

The driver of the second Clio, a 22-year-old man, escaped injury. He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was yesterday released on police bail.

Today the parents of a Mr Hannon, who worked as an engineer in the town, said he would be sorely missed.

His mother Ann, who lives in the Livesey Branch Road area, said: "This is a tragic twist to end his short life. It's so ironic that his greatest passion of cars should take his life.

"Matthew was a very lively, fun-loving character. He had the most amazing big blue eyes to melt your heart. He was the most happy-go-lucky chappie you could meet."

His father Terry thanked friends for the floods of support they have received.

He added: "We have been inundated with condolence messages from Matthew's friends and fortunately have an extremely strong family to rally round with us at this tragic time.

"Matthew was our life and soul we will miss him dearly. I now feel Matthew's heart beating alongside my own.

"He was extremely popular. We would just like everyone who knew Matthew to celebrate his life as he would wish."

Police estimated the victim was driving his car at 60mph in a 30mph zone when it careered into a parked BT van and catapulted into a wall before resting in a house driveway over 40ft away from the initial impact.

Police believe the victim and his girlfriend had been at the second Clio driver's house in Lower Darwen that evening.

A post mortem examination is expected to be carried out in the next few days.

l A wall damaged in the crash did not belong to Lorraine Buckley as stated in last night's paper.