TRIBUTES today poured in for Paul Prowse who died when his car was in collision with a lorry in an A14 lay-by.The father of three was killed instantly when his red Peugeot 406 estate was in collision with an HGV on an Ipswich-bound carriageway near the A140 sliproad at Coddenham.

TRIBUTES today poured in for Paul Prowse who died when his car was in collision with a lorry in an A14 lay-by.

The father of three was killed instantly when his red Peugeot 406 estate was in collision with an HGV on an Ipswich-bound carriageway near the A140 sliproad at Coddenham.

Married Mr Prowse, 43, was described as a "popular" and "talented man" who was actively involved in the community in and around the village of Earl Soham where he lived.

He was press officer for the Stowmarket Seals Swimming Club, where his daughter is a member, and was a former governor of Earl Soham Primary School.

Bobbie Wilson, chairwoman and president of the swimming club, said: "His death comes as a great shock all round and we offer our condolences to the family.

"Mr Prowse was popular and a very clever man. He was sociable and outgoing and would always come along and support the events and help out in any way we could."

In the two years Mr Prowse was a press officer for the club she described him as "the best we ever had."

Mr Prowse, of Glebe Meadows, leaves a wife of 19 years and two daughters, aged 13 and 12 and a son aged nine.

A statement from his wife, Sophie, read: "The accident has come as a total shock to his entire family and he will be greatly missed."

Mr Prowse was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Tuesday June 10 at around 9.20 am.

He worked as a national accounts manager for Quality Meat Scotland since 2001.

Before joining the company he was heavily involved in the UK horticultural industry having previously worked for Notcutts in Woodbridge, the Horticultural Trade Association in Reading and Bridgemere Nursery in Cheshire.

Clare Sanders Priest in Charge of Earl Soham and Chairman of Governors at Earl Soham CP School, said: " Paul joined the Governing Body of Earl Soham School as a Parent Governor soon after coming to live in the village [about five years ago].

"His three children were pupils at the school. He brought with him valuable experience of school governance in Cambridgeshire, and knowledge and experience of the world of business and marketing, which he shared with the governors for the benefit of the school."

The circumstances surrounding the accident remain unclear and his family are waiting for the outcome of the police investigation and the coroner's report to see if these shed any light on the cause of the accident.

Mr Prowse was the eldest of four brothers and was brought up in North Weald, Essex.

He graduated from Bangor University, North Wales in 1981 with a degree in Marine Biology.

Along with his community involvement in and around Earl Soham he was also an active supporter of Ipswich Town Football Club and a season ticket holder with his son.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision or who saw Mr Prowse's red Peugeot 406 Estate before it collided with the heavy goods vehicle in the layby, to contact them.

Anyone who has any information should contact the investigating officer, Police Constable David Taylor at Suffolk Police Headquarters Traffic Unit on 01473 613730.