Tributes have been paid to a Banbury company boss who was killed while taking part in a charity cycle ride.

Graham Lees, 48, died in an accident also involving two cars on the A38 Bridgewater Road, near Taunton, last Thursday, as he pedalled from John O'Groats to Land’s End.

The managing director of Cotswold Lifts, based in Thorpe Park, was about 150 miles short of his goal of completing the 960-mile trip to raise £10,000 for Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.

Since his death, £6,000 has been donated, along with the tributes that have come in. The fund stood at £3,094 last Thursday. Today it had reached £9,094.

A woman called Elaine donated £20 and said: "I don't know Mr Lees or his family, but to lose your life raising money for others seems so tragic. I hope you reach his target. Deepest sympathies."

Ricky and Zena donated £100 and said: "It was a privilege to have known you if only for a short time. Our thoughts are with the family at this very sad and difficult time."

Friend Colin Igoea donated £50 to the appeal and wrote: "Graham inspired me to do the ride in June/July of this year with him. I will think of him every time I get on my bike.

"Condolences to Celeste and kids."

Bill Wilson, who pledged £50, said: "It was a pleasure to have known Graham and cycle alongside him in the past. I will remember him as a man of honour with a spirit of fun."

Mr Lees, of Barford, near Warwick, leaves wife Celeste and two teenage children, Alex and Ellie.

A crew at the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance has pledged to finish the cycle trip in memory of Mr Lees.