THE council worker who died at the wheel of his vehicle in the New Forest yesterday has been described as a man who helped make the area something its residents could be proud of.

Robert Murray, 66, from Northerwood Avenue, Lyndhurst, was at the wheel of his light goods truck on the A35, just to the west of Ashurst, when it was in collision with a heavy goods lorry carrying vegetables.

The driver of the other lorry was slightly injured and Mr Murray's fellow council worker, who was standing alongside the stationary truck at the time of the collision, suffered serious injuries including broken bones.

He has not been named, but is 43, lives at Lyndhurst and, like Mr Murray, joined the council staff four years ago.

One of their main duties was keeping the verges of the New Forest looking neat and tidy and council leader Mel Kendal said: "What he did for the people of the New Forest really made a difference to their lives and the place in which they lived."

Speaking of the shock and distress felt by Mr Murray's fellow council workers and by councillors, he said he had sent his deepest sympathy to Mr Murray's family.

He added: "We were very much aware of how much Bob enjoyed his job and he was a valued member of the council's workforce."

Council spokesman Dave Attwill said: "There is a tremendous wave of shock and distress. Both of these lads were very well known to the people here at Appletree Court."

The 7.5 ton Leyland Daf vegetable lorry, which was carrying about a ton of vegetables, was driven by a 37-year-old Bournemouth man who was not seriously injured.

The accident happened at 5.50am and the A35 was closed between Lyndhurst and Ashurst for nine hours as police set up diversions.

Witnesses are asked to contact Acting Sergeant John Dainton on 0845 045 45 45.