TRIBUTES have been paid to a pedestrian who died following a crash in Worcester in the early hours of this morning, named locally as Chris Willmott.

The 48-year-old was hit by a car close to Ford Bristol Street Motors in Cotswold Way, Worcester, just after 1.10am today.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Today tributes have been paid to him online.

Commenting on a Worcester News post on Facebook, Debi Williams wrote: "Sad news to wake up to. R.i.p chris. Thoughts are with the family xx"

Dawn Elizabeth Lilburn posted: "Chris it was a pleasure to have been your friend we grew up together as kid's skiving at my house when you didn't want to go to school so sad to have to say goodbye rip Chris xx"

The car travelling along Cotswold Way collided with Mr Willmott, before crossing into Blackpole Road and impacting a lamppost, causing damage to a vehicle in the dealership.

The driver of the car, a 34-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and is currently in custody.

Mr Willmott was with a group of people at the time of the accident, with at least one person in that group believed to be a child.

There was also one passenger in the car.

After the collision the car also crashed into a lamp post in front of the car dealership, knocking it onto a Ford Focus parked in the forecourt, smashing its windscreen and bonnet.

Adam Sandford, manager at Bristol Street Motors, said: "There was damage to one car. It was a bit of a shock, we didn't expect to get that.

"I had a phone call at 2.30am this morning to tell me what had happened.

"Someone has died, it's shocking really. It's unlucky really at that time in the morning, the car may have been travelling fast as there are skid marks in the road."

An ambulance and a paramedic officer attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed the man died at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics.

He said: “Crews arrived to find a man and a car that had been in a serious collision.

“Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save the man and sadly he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

Police are now appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is urged to contact PC 3036 Ashley or Sgt 1914 Allen at Bromsgrove Operational Policing Unit on 101 quoting incident number 39 of 1st August.

The road was closed but reopened at 8am this morning.