A DETECTIVE died yesterday after a motorway smash in his car.

Tributes were today paid to Detective Sergeant Mick Thornber, 48, who lived and worked for most of his career in the Blackburn area.

Cheshire police said DS Thornber lost control of his silver MG ZR on the M56 in Cheshire after a collision with another vehicle at 2.40pm yesterday.

The car left the carriageway and DS Thornber was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers from Cheshire police are trying to trace the driver of a red saloon car which witnesses said may have been involved in the crash.

DS Thornber mainly worked in CID in the Eastern Division, covering Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

His last posting was as a detective in the Lancashire force's Hutton headquarters.

A former colleague of DS Thornber, Inspector Steve Haworth, said: "It is with a great deal of shock when this happens to people you know.

"He was a hard-working and very influential person in our division.

"For a long time he ran the sports and social club here and will be very sorely missed.

"He was also involved in a number of serious investigations over the years. The work he has done should not be underestimated.

"He was a very decent man and leaves a partner who is also in the police service.

"Our hearts go out to her in particular at this time.

"It is a very sad occasion awful news."

A Cheshire police spokesman said: "At about 2.40pm anm accident occurred on the southbound carriageway of the M56 near the Bowden and M6 interchange near junction eight and nine.

"As a result, a silver MG ZR car left the carriageway and the driver, a 48-year-old man from the Blackburn area, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Police are keen to trace a red saloon car which was reported as being in the vicinity of the collision.

"If you are a witness or have information please contact Cheshire police on 0845 458 0000."