Tragedy struck when two men died on the roads of Chorley in separate incidents this week.

The first happened around 2.15pm on Thursday, December 15 when Brinscall father-of-three Allan Stringfellow, 35, died after the lorry he was driving hit a farmhouse which collapsed on to his cab.

Then on Friday December 16, Philip Bagan, 46, of Granville Road, Chorley, died after his Kawasaki 600 bike collided with a Rover saloon on the A6 Preston Road in Whittle-le-Woods at the junction of Dawson Lane.

Mr Stringfellow lived in Urban View, Brinscall, and was raised in Bury Lane, Withnell.

He was well known in the two villages where he lived all his life. He leaves wife Debra, children, Kathryn, 15, Antony, 13, and four-year-old Jennifer. His mother and stepfather, Millie and Fred Aldred also live in Withnell. He had a sister Diane, 33, and brother Peter, 37.

Villagers were quick to pay tribute to the devoted family man.

Pauline Robinson, of Norcross Brow, Withnell, said: "I can't believe it. It has affected the whole community, Allan was such a wonderful lad."

Janet Astley, of School Lane, Brinscall, said: "It is a dreadful tragedy to happen to someone so young and with a family."

An indication of Mr Stringfellow's popularity came when the newsagent's in Withnell sold out of condolence cards within hours after the accident.

The former St Michael's High School pupil had various jobs in the area and was a skilled mechanic and welder.

Mr Stringfellow died when the truck he was driving, hit Norcross Farm, an unoccupied house in Norcross Brow, which was undergoing renovation.

Police said he was killed when the house collapsed on to the cab of the HGV. He was pronounced dead at 2.30pm. Two people working in the building were not injured. Roads around the site were closed until 7pm.

The road policing unit at Chorley will investigate the accident.

Mr Stringfellow's funeral will be held at St Paul's in Withnell, the church where he was christened, confirmed and married.

Meanwhile, investigations are continuing into the rush-hour accident, in which father-of-two and grandfather-of-two Philip Bagan died.

Mr Bagan was heading north towards Preston at 7.40am.

A police spokesperson said: "Mr Bagan was overtaking slower moving vehicles, when the driver of the car we think turned right, across his path, failing to see the motorcycle."

He suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital, where he later died.

The car driver was uninjured but shocked.

The family were too upset to talk, but a neighbour said: "He was a very private man, it's such a tragedy."

Anyone with information about the accident are asked to call Lancashire police on 01772 614444.