THE WIFE of road crash victim Andrew Wheeler believes the support she received after his death helped her to cope with the tragedy.

A memorial party for Mr Wheeler, 35, of Westbury, who died when his car collided with a lorry at Yarnbrook in September, was held in the Berkley Suite at Oscars 2000 nightclub on Saturday night, with more than 300 people attending.

Janet Wheeler was joined by her four children Darren, 23, Sharlene, 21, Dean, 19 and Wayne, 17, at the memorial party, along with other friends and relatives.

Mrs Wheeler spoke of the help she received in the wake of the crash.

She said: "I found the night really enjoyable and I had a lot of people coming up to me through during the evening.

"A lot of older people came too to pay their respects.

"I knew he had a lot of friends but when they all came round to my house after the crash, I was overwhelmed.

"It helped me quite a lot and made me feel really secure. They were all looking after me."

Mrs Wheeler explained how her four children have coped since the crash.

She said: "It was a complete shock to all of us, we couldn't believe it had happened.

"The children saw him as a dad, they all needed him and loved him to bits.

"We have had so many parties for him and we are planning to mark his death in this way each year. He was a well-respected man.

"I think it was because he was always helping people and doing favours for everyone."

Mrs Wheeler went on to thank Mr Wheeler's friends George Hope and Dennis Green for organising the party at Oscars 2000 and also manager Keith Widdows and all the DJs at the event.

Crowds of people thronged to Mr Wheeler's funeral at the All Saints Church in Westbury two weeks after the crash, and flower tributes are still at the crash site on the B3097 near the West Wilts Trading Estate.

Mr Wheeler added: "People in Westbury will always remember him for what he was like and what he has done."

Mrs Wheeler also plans to put up a plaque at the site where Mr Wheeler crashed, in memory of her husband.

She believes the tribute will allow mourners to continue paying tribute to a man who loved life.

Mr Wheeler was a well-known character in his home town and spent five years playing football for Westbury Rovers.

He was also a keen supporter of Manchester United.