A BRADFORD ON AVON trader was killed when he and his wife were involved in a car crash on Christmas morning.

Clive Freeman, 74, proprietor of the Roundabout bookshop in Silver Street, died from his injuries in hospital in Northamptonshire after the accident on the A43 at Milton Malsor near the M1 motorway.

He and his wife Pam, 71, were en route from Bradford to spend Christmas with their daughter Brigette Mariner, 37, son-in-law Danny and granddaughter Jemma, two.

Mrs Freeman said: "I rang Brigette to tell her we were nearly there and it must have been about midnight on Christmas Eve.

"Just as I was hanging up the phone the accident happened. Thankfully we were so close to her house that she managed to get there quickly.

"I cannot remember much about it as I was in and out of consciousness but before I knew it there were sirens and police and ambulances everywhere."

Mr Freeman was cut free from the car by specialist fire crews.

The couple were taken by ambulance to Northampton General Hospital where Mr Freeman later died.

His wife suffered bruises to her left arm but was released from hospital on Christmas Day and returned to Bradford with her daughter on Tuesday.

The accident happened when a Fiat Bravo car collided with the rear of Mr Freeman's Citron XM travelling in the same direction along the A43. The driver of the Fiat, a 27-year-old man from Hull, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and later released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The family praised the emergency services and were pleased to receive a condolence card from Northamptonshire police.

Mrs Mariner said: "They must deal with these sorts of things all the time and yet all the emergency staff were fantastic and so supportive.

"They have been caring and sensitive and just made things much easier for us all and we want to thank them for that.

"My father was a great man who always thought about others before he worried about himself.

"It is sad that it seems to be the selfless people like that who get hurt in life."

Mr and Mrs Freeman moved to Bradford to retire 16 years ago and opened the specialist bookshop in Silver Street and lived in the flat above the shop.

Mrs Freeman said: "We have lots of customers who travel from abroad to visit the shop and pick up collectable and antique books.

"Clive was very active and a keen cricketer and played for Blackpool and Hull in his youth and many of the paintings we have are of cricket which was a great love of his."

Mr Freeman's son Nigel, 39, paid tribute to his father's selfless nature.

He said: "My father's job suited him well because he loved meeting new people all the time in the shop."

Bradford Chamber of Commerce president Caroline Philpott said: "We are all very shocked to hear what happened to Clive and our sympathies go out to Pam and her children at what must be a very difficult time."

A date for Mr Freeman's funeral in Bradford is yet to be set.