TRIBUTES have been paid to a 91-year-old man who died at the weekend after being hit by a car at the beginning of last week.

Ronald Ernest Stannard was struck at a traffic light-controlled crossing on Queen’s Drive near the junction with Windsor Road shortly after 9.15am last Monday.

His family have been informed about his death.

He lived at George Gay Gardens, a sheltered housing complex in Park South, where neigbbours described him as a very friendly man who was always very smartly dressed.

Resident Cyril Palmer, 83, said: “Ron was one of the best. He was one of the greatest guys I ever knew and he was always happy to help anyone.”

Ron, who was a grandfather, served in the RAF in the Second World War and was a keen poet who would read what he had written to his neighbours.

Despite his age he remained independent and would regularly go to the shops by himself.

Following the incident Ron was taken to he Great Western Hospital with serious head injuries where he remained in intensive care until he died on Saturday afternoon.

He was struck by a light blue Ford Focus. The car driver was unhurt.

The road was closed for more than four hours while officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Team looked for the cause of the incident.

The crossing was found to be working correctly at the time of the accident.

The scene was made all the more poignant by the fact that a birthday cake, which Ron had been carrying, was found lying in the road.

Members of the public administered first aid before paramedics arrived.

Police are still searching for witnesses and have asked anyone with information to come forward.

PC Peter Williamson said: “We are appealing for more witnesses to come forward.

“We will be speaking to the witnesses we do know about and then look at the positions of the vehicles in the road, as well as any marks.

“That process can take some time.”

Anyone who saw the incident is asked to call PC Kevin Fry at Devizes Police Headquarters on 101 or Crimestoppers0 anonymously on 0800 555111.