Gareth AnslowTHE parents of car accident victim Gareth Anslow have paid tribute to their 'treasured' son, who died on his way to work at Swindon's Honda plant.

Thelma and Ralph Anslow, were staying with Gareth at his home in Rosebery Street, Swindon, when he died in the accident in Greenbridge on Wednesday.

Mrs Anslow said: "He was a wonderful son, a treasure. He was a very kind and caring man, very close to his father.

"He adored his family, especially his three nephews.

"It has just been so sudden and awful. He was 34, he still had his whole life ahead of him."

Gareth's father said: "He was a great lad, who loved his cricket and soccer. He played for the Wootton Bassett cricket team."

His parents, who live at Porthcawl in Wales, said he was a fit man with no known medical conditions.

Mr Anslow, pictured right, was on his way to work at the Honda factory in South Marston where he worked in engine production.

He was driving his Honda Civic along Drakes Way towards the Greenbridge Roundabout when his parents believe he may have suffered some sort of seizure.

The car drove over the central reservation and into the westbound carriageway where it mounted the kerb and crashed into a lamppost.

Mr Anslow was treated at the scene by paramedics but died at the Great Western Hospital later that morning.

His death has come as a shock to fellow workers at the Honda engine plant.

Neil Dix, who worked with Mr Anslow in the engine assembly plant, said: "I started at Honda on the same day as Gareth almost four years ago. Gareth was on the other shift to me but we always made the effort to catch up with each other between shifts.

"He was a very friendly, caring person who got on with everyone.

"He'll be sadly missed by everyone he worked with."

Kim Ballamy, Gareth's manager, said: "Gareth was someone who always said hello and was happy in his approach to his daily activities.

"He was a model associate who was never late and showed a high level of commitment to Honda.

" He will be sadly missed by the rest of the team."

Mr Anslow, who was single, lived with his parents in Haver-fordwest, Pembrokeshire, until he was 19.

He then joined the Royal Air Force and served with Motor Transport sections at RAF St Athan near Barry and most recently RAF Lyneham.

Leaving the RAF, he worked for Hunting Aviation later Babcock at RAF Lyneham as a driver.

Colin Davies, Mr Anslow's former superviser at Lyne-ham, said: "Gareth was a quiet, unassuming chap. He got on well with everyone he worked with."

Rod Bartlett, secretary of Wootton Bassett Cricket Club, said members were in shock.

He said: "I have had to ring round the rest of the team and they just can't believe it.

"He was a very likeable lad, always prepared to do anything for anybody, the backbone of the team. He had a great sense of humour and always knew how to come out with the best one-liners."

Anthony Osborne