AN inquest opens today into the death of a Teesdale pensioner in a car crash.

A friend of Edward Lewis Chambers, 81, of Mount Pleasant, Cockfield, paid tribute to the man she described as a perfect neighbour.

Mr Chambers, a former chiropodist, died in a collision between two cars at Denton crossroads, near Darlington, on Tuesday afternoon.

He and his late wife, Lily, had lived in Cockfield for 26 years.

The couple, who had no children, moved to the village from Lanchester, County Durham.

Ellen Bainbridge, a neighbour of Mr Chambers, said that although he and his wife used to keep to themselves, they were a well-known couple in the village.

Mrs Bainbridge said: "They were very good neighbours. They were quiet people, but very friendly, he used to like going to the club.

"I think when Lily died last year, it knocked him back a bit.

"He didn't like being in the house on his own, but he was very determined and often used to go out in the car.

"We don't know what happened in the accident, but it won't have been speed.

"He was a careful driver and very rarely went over 20mph.

"It is a great shame. I saw him going off in the car that afternoon and said he should not be going out while it was getting dark."

Mr Chambers died when his Daihatsu Charade was in collision with a Peugeot 306 at the junction of the B6279 and the B6275.

The driver of the second car was unhurt.

The inquest opens at 2pm in the coroner's office, Post Office House, Elliot Street, Crook.