THE family of a young pub manager who was killed in a car crash have paid tribute to their "wonderful, generous son".

The distraught parents of Michael John Littler said he would be sorely missed as they tried to come to terms with his death yesterday.

Police are eager to speak to anyone who saw Mr Littler's silver Ford Mondeo as he made his way back from Durham City in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The 26-year-old Stockton man left The Loft/Studio club in Durham City, where he was manager, at about 3am, but never made it home.

It is believed he lost control of his car on a right-hand bend on the A177, between Sedgefield and Thorpe Larches, outside Stockton, before colliding with a tree, sustaining massive injuries.

However, the crashed car was not spotted by a passing motorist and reported to police until about 6am.

Mr Littler was pronounced dead at the scene soon afterwards.

Police are now trying to piece together what happened to Mr Littler, and at what time the crash happened.

Mr Littler lived with his parents in Gentian Way, Stockton, and is believed to have been heading back there when the crash happened.

His mother Jacqui, father Malcolm, and elder sister Joanne, were all too upset to talk about his tragic death yesterday.

However, they released a statement, which described Michael as a "wonderful, generous and thoughtful young man who and will be sadly missed by his parents, sister and the whole family".

Mr Littler attended Grangefield Comprehensive School and Stockton Sixth Form College. He worked first at McDonalds as a manager, but then entered the licensing trade, where he worked for a number of years.

He managed Vienna, Absolute and the Hairy Lemon bars in Middlesbrough, and was proud to win an award for best managed public house while there.

He was a keen footballer who played Sunday League for The Stag public house in Stockton, and was also a life-long Middlesbrough fan.

A Durham Police spokeswoman appealed for witnesses. She said: "Michael's family is devastated. He was thoughtful and popular and will be sadly missed. We are looking to speak to anyone who may have seen Michael's car between 3am and 6am."

Anyone with information is asked to call 0191-375-2159.