The family of Michael Rustell said they have been overwhelmed by the number of tributes paid to the father-of-four, since he was killed in a car crash on the A36 near Warminster on February 4.

Mr Rustell, known as Rusty, was travelling on the A36 at Norridge Woods, between the Cley Hill and Granada Services roundabouts, when his Rover 400 collided with a VW Golf driven by a 22-year-old man from Melksham.

The 50-year-old, who was a keen sportsman, playing football for Frome Town and cricket for Beckington Cricket Club, suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Rustell lived in Rode, Somerset, with his wife Mary and their two children Mollie, 13, and Charlie, 11. He also had two children from his first marriage, Lauren, 23, and James, 22.

Mrs Rustell, who married her husband in 1998, said: “The reaction since the accident has been overwhelming, there have been so many people getting in touch to pay tribute to Mike.”

Mr Rustell was well-known in Frome, having worked at printing firm Butler and Tanner for many years and as a retained firefighter for Frome Fire Brigade for 12 years. He had also worked at Beckington Petrol Station, but his family said he found his most fulfilling role recently when he became a care worker for Somerset Care.

Beckington Cricket Club and Frome Town Football Club paid tribute to Mr Rustell last week, with the Robins holding a minute’s silence before their 3-2 victory against Sholing. He was the longest serving player at Beckington Cricket Club, playing for 35 years.

His funeral is tomorrow at St George’s Church, Beckington, at 1pm followed by a private family service at Semington Crematorium.