Tributes have been paid to a father-of-two who died after a motorway car crash.

Mark Burgess, 39, was driving on the westbound carriageway of the M65 when he somehow lost control of his Citroen Saxo near to Junction 8 and collided with a barrier.

Police said the impact forced him from the vehicle before four other vehicles – including an ambulance - then collided with the debris.

Mr Burgess, from Abbey Village, was taken to hospital but later died of multiple injuries.

The drivers and passengers of the other vehicles sustained minor injuries and many were treated for shock.

Mr Burgess' son and daughter Matthew and Hayley Burgess paid tribute to their father.

In a statement they said: “We may not have been as close as most families, but at the end of the day he was still our dad.

“Our dad loved socialising and liked spending time with his close friends, if he wasn't driving lorries. He shouldn't have gone the way he did.”

The collision happened at 10.55pm on Saturday, November 23, near Huncoat.

The M65 was closed for more than six hours to allow for an investigation to take place and to remove debris from the road.

Sergeant Mick Young from the Road Policing Unit said: “This is a tragic incident in which a man has lost his life.

“A police family liaison officer is supporting Mr Burgess’ family at this difficult time.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call Lancashire Police on 101.