A FAMILY has paid tribute to a young father who died when his car hit a tree on a country road.

Dean Robinson died on Tuesday afternoon in the accident at Knitsley, near Consett.

The 30-year-old was the only occupant of a blue Peugeot 206 which lost control and left the road on Longedge Lane shortly after 5.30pm

The father-of-one, from Temple Gardens in the Templetown area of Consett, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

In a statement released through police, Mr Robinson’s family said: "Dean was a much-loved son and father who doted on his daughter Ebony.

“Dean was the kind of person who would do anything for anyone, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him."

The road was closed for more than five hours to allow accident investigators to examine the scene. Police are now appealing for witnesses to the accident to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Police on 101 and ask for the collision investigation unit.