Road crash victim 'had just wed love of his life'

A 29-year-old Shropshire man who died in a road smash had recently married "the love of his life", his family said today. His grieving parents have paid tribute to him.

Steven Morris, from Whitchurch, died after the accident on the A41 at Hinstock, near Market Drayton, shortly before 7am on Tuesday.

Today, his parents Les and Chris Morris paid tribute to "a kind and gentle softie with a big heart".

In a statement released through a family friend, Mr and Mrs Morris said their son had married "the love of his life" Jeab, just eight months ago, after meeting her on holiday in Thailand.

They said the couple were living at home with them in Edgeley Gardens while saving for a deposit to buy their own home, and Mr Morris was working for Edwards Transport in Hinstock.

They said Mr Morris and Jeab had married in Thailand, but had hoped to hold a celebration at home some time this year.

"She was the love of his life. Poor Jeab has come over here and lost him in such a short period of time. It couldn't have been more cruel. He knew Jeab was the one, and she left everything to come over here and be with him.

"He was kind, ever so kind, and gentle. He had a cheeky smile. He had a big heart, and he was quite a shy person in many ways. He was soft, he was a softie but not everybody saw that."

They added: "He was popular and his true friends were really important to him."

Mr Morris attended Whitchurch Infants and Junior Schools, and the Bishop Heber secondary school in Malpas, before going to college in Crewe.

His funeral will take place at 11am at St Alkmund's Church in Whitchurch on Thursday, and then at Shrewsbury Crematorium.