NEIGHBOURS of a pensioner killed as he attempted to cross a busy motorway said they were shocked to hear of his death.

Grandfather James Benson, 74, of Warmden Gardens, Little Harwood, was believed to have been crossing to an emergency telephone after his car broke down on the hard shoulder of the M6.

A neighbour, Jean Crowther, 70, of Warmden Gardens, said the former employee of Darwen office furniture manufacturer Evertaut Ltd kept himself to himself.

"We didn't know him very well but he was really nice," she said.

"We thought he had just an accident at first and we were going to send a card from all the neighbours. It was a great shock to find out that he had died."

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "He kept to himself but he was a pleasant person and very helpful."

Mr Benson, who had spent around 12 years in the army, had two sons, one living in Blackpool and another in Newcastle, and four grandchildren.

Police in Preston are appealing for witnesses to the accident, which happened between junctions 34 and 33 of the M6 southbound, at around 8.40pm on Sunday, July 13. Call 01772 614444.