THE brother of a young driver killed in a car crash last week has spoken for the first time of his family's grief.

Justin Woodland, 25, of Vallis Way, Frome, had been out for the day with friends and was driving a grey Vauxhall Astra along a country road towards Horningsham when it crashed into a tree.

His brother Simon, 26, from Frome, told the Wiltshire Times how his family had been left numb by the tragedy. "Nothing ever prepares you for something like this. We just feel so helpless," he said. "It's like I've lost my best mate. There were only 18 months between us and we grew up together," he said.

"I don't think we could have asked for anyone better for the amount of time we had with him."

Justin leaves a six-year-old daughter Hope, who lives with her mother Donna Hares, in Hill Ground, Frome.

Mr Woodland said: "Hope doesn't fully understand what's happened. "The rest of the family is coping as well as can be expected. It's upsetting watching the rest of the family try to cope."

Justin had been working as a coach driver in Frome but recently had a career move to become a roofer, and felt life was going well.

Mr Woodland remembered his brother as a man who enjoyed life and always looked on the bright side.

"He was always having a laugh. He always had a smile and would always make sure there was something to laugh about," he said.

He loved driving and had been on several track racing days at Castle Combe where his biggest thrill was overtaking fast and expensive cars.

He also recently went to Sheffield for a driving tournament where Justin made it to the last 200 out of about thousands of competitors.

Simon Woodland's girlfriend Cheri, 25 said: "Justin didn't have a lot but what he did have he would give to anyone.

"His friends have been really good. Everyone is at different stages of coping with the tragedy." Justin's pride and joy was his Vauxhall Calibra, which he would spend hours working on. He also loved spending time with his daughter and fishing.

He leaves his mother and stepfather, Angie and Steve Curtis, his dad Gary, and brothers and sisters, Wayne, Amber, Daniel and Louise. Justin's funeral will be held at Christ Church, Frome at 2.30pm today.