A family today paid tribute to an "open and warm" young man who died in a car crash.

University of Chester student Duncan Edward Monteith, from Glan Conwy, suffered a suspected brain haemorrhage while he was driving on the A55 on Friday morning.

The 27-year-old, who was studying for a Master’s degree in Business Studies, was on his way to the university when his car crashed into the central reservation of the eastbound carriageway near Northop.

He was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital but did not survive.

Today his devastated family paid tribute to the popular student and keen photographer.

His father and step father, David and Peter McAllister, brother Alasdair and sister-in-law Lucy jointly said: “We are all devastated by Duncan’s death."

Peter added: “He was so looking forward to finishing his assignments and building a career in marketing and PR.

“He was gregarious and emotional and wore his heart on his sleeve. He was so open and warm hearted and got close to people very quickly.

“That is why he had so many close friends whose messages of support have been so supportive at this difficult time.”

More than 200 people have paid tribute to Duncan on a facebook site set up by his brother.

Alasdair said: “We have been overwhelmed by the messages of sympathy that we have received and we know all the comments are genuine.”

The family made the decision to donate Duncan's organs to help others and his funeral will be held in Glan Conwy.

St Asaph-born Duncan attended Rydal School in Colwyn Bay and Llandrillo College, where he did his A Levels and where his mother was a French lecturer.

He then went on to do a degree in Sociology at Lancaster University and was in the process of completing his Master’s degree in Business Studies at Chester University.

Duncan lived in Edinburgh for a short time, but when his mother Melanie was diagnosed with cancer, he moved back to the family home to assist with her care, and took a job as a market researcher with Welocalise as part of his Masters course at Chester University.

His family said Duncan loved animals and the family dogs Daisy and Buster were very close to his heart.

He was also very close to his grandparents Bernard and Joan Jones in Colwyn Bay, as well as with his half-brother and sister, James and Alice, in Scotland and his nieces Sonny, Eloise and Isobel.

His father David said: “Duncan had a great sense of adventure. He would do anything for anyone, even if it meant dropping everything and driving for hours if it meant he could help someone.”

Duncan's main hobbies were photography and playing Blues and Eric Clapton music on his guitar, and he would sometimes play with the group Purple Fox in Llandudno.

Recently he had taken an interest in paragliding and travel after paragliding in the Alps on a mountain holiday with Peter and friends.

Professor Danny Moss, Duncan’s Personal Tutor at Chester University, said: “Duncan was always a ‘glass is half full’ type of person, always looking for the positives in any situation and with a strong sense of purpose and determination to succeed.

“My colleagues and I, as well as everyone at the University who has heard this tragic news, are shocked and find it hard to accept that we have lost such a talented and very likeable young man. Our thoughts are with his family.”

He said Duncan was “undoubtedly one of the most enthusiastic and well-liked” programme on the programme.

He added: “Duncan was currently completing one of the two extended work placements that are part of the programme at the global translation company ‘Welocalize’ based in Tarporley.”

On Facebook, family and friends expressed their shock and disbelief.

Lesley Tattersall wrote: “My thoughts are with James and Alice who will miss such a fab bro.”

Fiona Waters posted the message: “I had never met anyone with so much natural warmth until i met Duncan. He had an infectious personality and I instantly became so fond of him. He quickly became apart of our family and we always enjoyed his many visits. I'm sure his spirit will live on in all the lives he touched.

“We love you Duncan, you will be forever missed and in our hearts. Love to all Duncan's family and friends x”

And Diana Footer was also deeply moved. She said: “It’s hard to find the words to express how sad we feel at the loss of Duncan. I will always remember his cheery smile and the easy way he managed to get along with everyone irrespective of age!”