A CYCLIST who died after becoming trapped under a mini bus has been named.

Robert Worden died after a collision on the Whitebirk Roundabout in Blackburn at around 4pm on Tuesday.

The 53-year-old, from Great Harwood, was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital by ambulance but died shortly after arriving.

A family spokesman described Mr Worden as a 'much loved father, son and brother'.

He said: "Robert Worden was a 53-year-old man who enjoyed many things in life.

"He was a keen cyclist and enjoyed raising money for different charities and he was due to embark on a charity cycle ride across Brittany to raise funds for Diabetes UK.

"He enjoyed spending time at his allotment and was an enthusiastic gardener.

"He had a very caring nature with a soft spot for animals which he would always take time to care for.

"He is a much loved father, son, brother and uncle and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him."

Police are now appealing for information and asking anyone who saw anything to come forward.

Sergeant Adam Crossley said: "My thoughts remain with the man's family at this incredibly difficult and upsetting time.

"They are being supported by specially trained officers.

"We are working to establish the cause of the collision and are appealing to anyone who saw anything, or who has any dash cam footage to come forward and speak to us if they haven't already."

Whitebirk roundabout, Whitebirk Road, Accrington Road and Burnley Road were all closed off by police for a number of hours as emergency services dealt with the incident.

The driver of the minibus is said to be unharmed.

A North West Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called at around 4pm and we had two ambulances, two senior clinicians and a rapid response unit on the scene.

"It appears the man became trapped following the collision and he was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital in a serious condition."

An eyewitness who became concerned after seeing all of the emergency services arrive said she was sorry to hear the man had passed away.

She said: "When I saw what was going on I could see it was something very serious.

"Emergency services arrived on the scene very quickly and people couldn't tell what was going on.

"I was very sorry to hear that the man had passed away.

"My thoughts are with all of his friends and family at what must be an unimaginably hard time for them all."

No arrests have been made.