THE ashes of a fun-loving Abberley man will be shot into the night sky in a fitting tribute to a fireworks enthusiast who lived life to the full.

Matthew Male, 31, died after his car collided with a tree while travelling towards Holt Heath on the A443 at Hallow near Worcester.

Firefighters were called to free him from the wreckage of his blue Rover 825SD saloon but he was pronounced dead at the scene in the early hours of Saturday morning.

His parents, David and Pam Male, are still coming to terms with the death of their eldest son, who had planned to emigrate to Australia later this year but feel the unusual tribute is exactly what he would have wanted.

Mr Male, 60, of Catterbutts, Abberley, said: "Matt always had a fascination and love of fire and fireworks and so we felt this was a fitting tribute.

"We still can't believe he's gone but we have so many happy memories of him and he was at his happiest in the last few months when he'd set his mind on going to Australia."

He added: "We have found someone who can make the fireworks for us but we're not sure how long it might take.

"It will be an informal event, most likely held at the Bell Inn at Pensax in a few weeks time."

Mrs Male, 58, said a humanist funeral ceremony would be held at Worcester Crematorium on Wednesday. The family has requested donations, instead of flowers, to plant an oak tree and erect a bench in memory of Matthew on Abberley's village green.

She added: "The only way I can describe him is as exuberant. He lived for the moment and would try anything. He was so happy in the last few months and we had a lovely Christmas Day, where everyone was laughing as he set fireworks off over the fields. His laugh was infectious."

Matthew, who lived with his parents and also leaves two younger brothers, Tom and Robert, is fondly remembered for his love of nature and practical jokes.

He attended the University of Wales in Aberystwyth and enjoyed a gap year in Australia, where he learned to scuba dive, before becoming a systems analyst in Birmingham.

Mrs Male said: "Matt could be a little terror when he was younger, always pushing the limits, but he was a practical joker too and liked to pull your leg. On Christmas Day, he planted cress seeds on the roof of his brother's car and they started to sprout.

"We always had a laugh together and he was very generous with his time. He literally had hundreds of friends, both in the village and across the country.

"We're trying to come to terms with it but it's when you wake up in the morning it's the worst and things are going round in your head. Friends and family have been wonderful though and we'd like to thank everyone for their support."

An inquest into Matthew's death was opened and adjourned at the coroner's court in Stourport on Tuesday.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward who may have seen the collision or the Rover shortly before the incident.

Callers should contact PC Steve Baxter on 08457 444 888, quoting incident number 160S/070106.

Donations in lieu of flowers should be made payable to Abberley Village Green Trust, c/o funeral directors, E. Hill, Fairfield House, Defford Road, Pershore WR10 1HZ.