TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular teacher who died after being hit by a car as he cycled to his home in Radcliffe.

David Jonathan Kerslake, aged 44, a father-of-one, was head of science at Sharples School, Bolton, where staff described him as an "excellent teacher".

He was hit by a car in Crompton Way, Tonge Fold, at 4.30pm on Monday as he cycled to his home in Radcliffe.

He was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital with multiple injuries but was later pronounced dead.

Today, his wife and three-year-old daughter were being comforted by family and friends at their home in Hackney Close.

Mr Kerslake's devastated wife, Jacqueline, aged 43, paid tribute to her husband.

"He was a wonderful person who was devoted to his family and committed to the pupils at the school. He was a keen cyclist and also enjoyed rugby and fell walking.

"His death has come as a complete shock and we are all still trying to come to terms with the fact that he has gone from our lives forever.

"He was a devoted husband and father to our three-year-old daughter Lydia Niamh.

"His loss is felt by the whole family and those who knew him."

The tragedy happened when the driver of a blue Toyota Corolla heading towards Bury lost control and ploughed into two parked cars before hitting Mr Kerslake.

The car then went on to hit another car and then a lamp-post.

The 78-year-old driver of the car was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and later released.

A police spokesman said an elderly man would be questioned.

Kevin Clarke, headteacher at Sharples School, said: "We were all very shocked and upset to hear about the tragic death of Dave Kerslake, our head of science.

"Dave has worked at Sharples since 1999. He was an extremely popular member of staff and an excellent teacher.

"Everyone who worked with Dave thought the world of him and appreciated his great sense of humour.

"Dave had a great many friends at Sharples who will miss him. Obviously the children are all upset and the school is doing everything it can to support them at this sad time.

"Our thoughts are with Dave's wife and his daughter."

The school's chairman of governors, Cllr Hilary Fairclough, said: "He was an excellent member of staff. We had every confidence in him and he was well liked by both the pupils and the staff.

"He worked very hard and put a lot of effort into his job. I always got the impression that he was a very devoted family man. He has left a huge hole in the school. The whole science department is devastated."

Mrs Fairclough said the news has been broken to pupils and counselling has been made available.

Mrs Fairclough said the school will talk with Mr Kerslake's family about what sort of tribute they can make to the popular teacher.

Mr Kerslake was educated at North Manchester School for Boys and attended King's College in London.

He started teaching in 1984 at Broad Oak High School in Bury, before joining Derby High School in Bury in 1986. He joined Sharples School in 1999.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact the Bolton Road Policing Unit on 0161 856 5973 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.