TRIBUTES have been paid to a 'devoted father and son' who died following a crash in North Wales.

Digby Eade died following the road traffic collision at Maentwrog, Gwynedd, on Wednesday, January 5.

He was 48 years old and from Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Mr Eade's family have issued a statement in tribute to him earlier today.

Posted on the North Wales Police Facebook page it read: "Digby was a devoted father and son who was happiest when he was helping others.

"As a youngster he had success with training his dog in agility, making an appearance at Crufts. As a teenager his love of the RAF led to him being an active member in his local ATC branch. On leaving school he visited the USA to gain experience in a special effects studio, another love of his.

"On his return to England he qualified as a mechanical engineer at Highbury College where he later lectured. Through his life he had an assortment of jobs including working in the Portsmouth Dockyard before moving to Wales to marry his wife and start a new life in Gwynedd.

"When made redundant he retrained as a driving instructor and took great pride in teaching his students to be good drivers. When asked if he would return south to live he always replied ‘no’ as Wales is his heart’s home, where he loved being part of a real community which will be poorer by his absence."

Sergeant Raymond Williams of the Roads Policing Unit said: “We’d once again like to offer our sincerest sympathies to Digby’s family at this difficult time.

"I'd like to thank those members of the public who have so far come forward with information, and I would once again appeal to anybody who may have witnessed the collision who is yet to contact us, or anybody who may have been travelling along the A487 between Penrhyndeudraeth and Maentwrog and who may have dash cam, is urged to contact officers at the Roads Policing Unit via our website or via 101, quoting reference number B001932."