"IT feels like a part of me has been taken away and it will never be there again," said the youngest daughter of Christopher Willmott, who died after being hit by a car.

The family of the 48-year-old have spoken out for the first time telling of their devastation at losing "one of the best blokes".

His three children, Andrew, 27, Carley, 25 and Danielle, 21, Willmott said they are still in shock about losing their beloved father, who died after a car travelling along Cotswold Way in Blackpole collided with him on Friday, August 1.

Tragically the accident happened as popular Mr Willmott waited with friends near the Vauxhall car garage for a taxi to take him home to Ambleside Drive, Warndon, as he suffered with sciatica.

He had been with the two friends and one of their children doing some night fishing.

And had he not caught a large 10lb fish he had planned to return at about 10pm. He in fact stayed later and the accident happened at about 1.10am.

Carley said she went back to the spot he had been fishing at on Thursday, August 14.

"I went fishing with my little man there," said Carley. "He used to build a little bonfire when he went fishing and I was sat right by it. For me it was where he was last happy, he loved fishing."

But the main love of Mr Willmott's live was his family.

Daughter Danielle said: "He used to say I love you about five times on the phone, he had to make sure you knew how much he loved you.

"He said it was the best thing I have ever done having the kids and his grand kids.

"He was always smiling, laughing and joking and he would do anything for anybody. He was one of the best blokes.

"He wouldn't hurt a fly. It doesn't feel real, I just wish I could have him back, I would do anything just to hold him again.

"It feels like a part of me has been taken away and it will never be there again.

"I don't think I want to get married ever because he's not there to walk me down the aisle. He was a very proud dad."

Carley added: "All the plans we made, just to see him."

Karen Willmott, 45, who was married to Mr Willmott , also paid tribute to the man she spent 23 years with.

"He would do anything his kids asked him," she said. "There will be lots of people in Worcester who have things in their house done by him, he could do anything."

The family are now remembering the good times they spent with Mr Willmott and son Andrew even has his dog Tia, who he called peewee as a reminder of his dad.

"It hurt so much that we still haven't come to terms with it," said Karen, adding that this was made worse by the driver getting bail.

"To find out he got bail it just made it worse. They don't get their dad back."

They also thanked everyone for their kind words and support since the tragedy.

The funeral for Mr Willmott will take place at Astwood Crematorium in Worcester at 11.30am on Friday, August 22, and people are asked to wear Manchester United or England t-shirts, or anything they feel comfortable in.

After the funeral a wake in celebration of Mr Willmott will take place at the New Chequers, Astwood Road.

It has been able to take place thanks to donations by friends and family as well as a generation addition by Worcester Bosch and Adecco, the firms Pina worked for at the time of the collision.

Anyone that would like to contribute to the cost of the funeral should visit the Worcester Funeral Service, 31 Barbourne Road or call them on 01905 23499.

All money raised in addition and donations at the funeral will go to three charities chosen by Mr Willmott's children, the Birmingham Children's Hospital, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Helder Dasilva Pina, 34, of Brook Street, Barbourne, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and will appear at Worcester Crown Court on November 24.