A man who died after he was involved in a collision with a car as he crossed a road in south Shropshire was today named by police.

George Howells, a 64-year-old farm worker, of Sidney Road, Ludlow, died in hospital the day after the incident in Sheet Road in the town.

Today close friend Wallace Green paid tribute to Mr Howells and said he had spent an hour with him just before the collision, which happened on Thursday night.

Mr Howells was taken to Hereford Hospital with head injuries but died early on Friday morning.

Mr Green today said he had been friends with Mr Howells for more than 40 years and they had worked together in farming.

He described Mr Howells as an expert in shearing sheep and said he was well known in the farming community around south Shropshire and used to shear sheep at a number of local agricultural shows.

Mr Howells, who originally came from Stoke St Milborough, had been to visit Mr Green and his wife Connie at about 4.30pm. He stayed for an hour before crossing the road to his car, parked opposite the house, when the incident happened.

Mr Green, of Sheet Road, said: “He was a very great friend to everybody, and he would help anyone.”

Mrs Green also paid tribute to Mr Howells.

She said: “He was such a nice man, a family man. He always had a smile. He was always so helpful. It is unbelievable. We are so shocked we still can’t get our heads round it.”

The road was blocked for hours after the incident, which happened close to the Cecil Guest House.

South Shropshire coroner Mr Anthony Sibcy has been informed and an inquest is expected to be held soon.

Officers are continuing to investigate the collision, which involved a silver Vauxhall Astra being driven away from the town.

The male driver of the vehicle involved in the incident was not injured.

Police today issued a renewed appeal for anybody who saw the collision, or the circumstances leading up to it, to contact Ludlow police station on 0300 3333000.

By Sophie Bignall