The family of a 20-year-old man who died in a collision on the A500 have paid tribute to the ‘caring, funny, smart young man who had the potential for greatness’.

Kieran Barker was a pedestrian when he was in collision with an HGV on the Shavington Bypass at about 9.30pm on Tuesday, May 3.

His family have released a statement telling of their devastation at losing the young man ‘anyone would be proud to call son, grandson, brother and friend’.

A family spokesman said: “Kieran Barker was a kind, generous and sensitive young man. He was deeply loved by his family and his wide circle of friends.

“Kieran attended Shavington High School and South Cheshire College before going to Teeside University to study nutrition in 2014.

“Kieran soon discovered that university life was not for him and left in 2015 with the ambition of joining the Royal Marines. During the ongoing application process Kieran was working as a porter at Peckforton Castle .

Peckforton Castle, where Kieran was working as a porter

“Kieran always possessed a hard working ethos and applied this to whatever he did. Whilst at school and college he was employed in a number of roles, including a local paperboy and a customer assistant at Tesco in Crewe.

“As part of his preparation for the Marines, Kieran enjoyed daily workouts with his friends at Total Fitness in Crewe .

Kieran loved his sport, particularly football, representing Nantwich Town as a young boy.

“Although he played in a number of positions, it was as a goalkeeper where he truly excelled, where his performance resulted in a trial for Manchester United in 2009.

“Whilst still at school, Kieran took up refereeing where he achieved a professional qualification in 2012.

“He also loved his music and attended a number of music festivals both in the UK and abroad.

“The whole family is devastated by this untimely tragedy. Kieran was a caring, funny, smart young man and one who had the potential for greatness. He loved his family, had a smile and a natural way about him that could light up a room and will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him.

“Kieran was the kind of young man that anyone would be proud to call son, grandson, brother and friend.”

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call Cheshire police on 101 quoting incident number 1001 of May 3 2016.