A FATHER-of-two died after his car flipped onto its roof on the M65 on his way to deliver Valentine’s Day presents to his partner.

Mark Jones’ black BMW veered into the central reservation one mile past junction 10, near Burnley, on Friday night, overturning and coming to rest 200 metres down the motorway.

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The westbound carriageway was closed for four hours while a 15-strong team of firefighters worked to free Mr Jones from the wreckage but he died at the scene.

His family have paid tribute to the Barrowford man, describing him as a “great guy” with a “heart of gold”.

Mr Jones was travelling to see his girlfriend, Alison Sutcliffe, at her home in Hapton after visiting his dad, Raymond, when tragedy struck.

His mum, Jackie Rogers, 64, said: “He was the loveliest person you were ever going to meet and he idolised his children.

“He thought the world of his kids and his time with Alison was the happiest of his life.

“The last thing he said to me was ‘I love you mum’, which is fitting really.”

An engineer by trade, the 44-year-old had worked for several firms in East Lancashire, as well as for a double glazing company in Darwen, before working in a bar in Spain in the mid-2000s.

Mr Jones, who was dad to Daniel, 18, and Rebecca, 17, was born at home in Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, and attended St Thomas’s Primary School in Barrowford after the family moved to Kent Court in the village.

He studied at the former Walton High School in Nelson before moving to Rogersfield in Langho and going to Norwood School in Rishton.

After leaving school he became an apprentice engineer at firms including Merc Engineering UK Ltd in Barrowford.

A life-long Manchester United fan, Mr Jones married his then-girlfriend Melanie in 1991, having two children together, and moved out to Algorfa in Spain in 2005 to run a bar.

The family returned to Lancashire after seven years, setting up home in BuckshawVillage, near Chorley.

However, the couple split up in August last year and Mr Jones moved to Wilton Street, Barrowford, after staying with his brother, Christian Wakeford.

Mr Wakeford, 30, who represents the area on Lancashire County Council, said: “The whole family is in a state of shock and disbelief.

“Being woken up by the police on Friday night was the worst experience of my life.

“Mark was a great brother and we were very close. It’s tragic that he has been taken from us so early.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been leaving tributes for him online and who have contacted us.

“It’s nice to know that there are people out there who are thinking of us at this horrible time.

“Mike Smith, the police’s family liaison officer, has been fantastic and he has helped us a lot.

“Mark was one of those people who knew exactly how to wind you up but he was a great guy.

“He always had a smile on his face and he had a heart of gold.”

The incident happened on a section on the M65 that is run by the Highways Agency and is unlit.

However, the family stressed they did not believe the lack of lights had anything to do with Mr Jones’s death.

Shortly before the accident, a report was made to police about Mr Jones’s car being driven “erratically”.

“He was so thoughtful, spontaneous and caring and I can’t believe what has happened.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log number 1224 of February 13 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.