TRIBUTES have been paid to a dedicated milkman who died in a road tragedy in Alresford while on his delivery round.

Dairy Crest milkman, Allan Knight, of Lime Close, Colden Common, died when he was in collision with a lorry, also from Dairy Crest, on Winchester Road, Alresford, shortly before 5am on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old driver of the lorry suffered serious head injuries and was taken to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, where he remains.

His injuries are described as serious but not life-threatening.

A nearby resident, said: "I heard a crash at 4.53am, it woke me up. It was right outside my house. The driver of the Dairy Crest lorry was walking in the road shouting ambulance, ambulance', so I picked up the phone and called to him I had everything in hand.

"I ran out while I was still on the phone. The Dairy Crest driver was sat on the side of the road, against a post. The milkman was lying in the road behind the Dairy Crest truck."

Mr Knight, 53, was based at the Dairy Crest depot at Bar End in Winchester and is thought to have worked in the milk trade for at least 30 years, covering the Alresford and Ropley area.

Depot manager John Gallienne said: "I have known him for 30 years. This has come as a blow.

"It's terrible news. Everyone will be gutted. He was a long-serving franchisee, initially working from the Unigate depot in Alresford and since it closed from here in Winchester."

Eddie Wilkinson, co-owner of The Running Horse pub, on Pound Hill, said: "I can't believe it. He was very quiet and unassuming chap, very smart."

Matt Wilkinson, chef and co-owner of the same pub, said: "He was a nice bloke. We spoke to him all the time. He's just one of those people - everyone knows him."

An Alresford resident added: "He was always smiling and very friendly and outgoing. He was noted for the big smile he had.

"He was a very keen runner. He used to run everywhere.

"He was one of three sons, his twin brother, Steve, died several years ago."

Police are seeking witnesses to the collision, the cause of which is currently unclear.

Sgt Wayne Voller said: "I would like to hear from anyone who saw the incident itself or either vehicle in the area of the A31 and Winchester Road travelling from Winchester towards New Alresford.

"The vehicles are a white and orange Unigate milk delivery Ford Transit and a white Dairy Crest delivery lorry."

Police closed Winchester Road between the Lady Croft roundabout and New Farm Road for eight hours, until around midday, to allow investigations to be conducted.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cosham Roads Policing Unit quoting Operation Taranto on 0845 0454545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

If you wish to pay tribute to Mr Knight, please use the comment form below.