Tributes have been paid to a crane driver who died when his 80-tonne vehicle overturned and burst into flames in an M40 inferno.

The married man is an employee of Marsh Plant, at Long Crendon, near Thame, but has not yet been formally identified.

He was described as a 'good guy' who had worked tirelessly for the firm for 20 years.

He died when his crane skidded, turned over and was engulfed in flames as it ploughed 80m along the motorway verge.

The accident happened shortly after 6.30am on Saturday on the northbound carriageway between junctions nine and ten, near Chesterton. More than 30 firefighters from Bicester and Deddington battled the fire but paramedics were unable to save the driver, who died from severe multiple injuries.

Roland Reid, depot manager at Marsh Plant, confirmed the driver was one of his 20 employees. He said: "This is tragic. Everyone knows everyone else here we are like a big family. We are still coming to terms with it. He was one of our most experienced drivers. I'd known him for 20 years. The company is upset for his family.

"He was a good guy who did his job well. The vehicle was well-maintained and we don't understand how this could have happened. Everyone is in shock."

The accident caused traffic to tail back for more than five miles on the M40 as police began the operation to remove the wreckage. Two northbound lanes were closed throughout Saturday and drivers were advised to use the B430 through Weston-on-the-Green.

The wreckage was finally moved early on Sunday.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Richard Goodfellow said the driver was in the nearside lane when he lost control. He said: "As yet we are unsure why this happened."

The fire service said the blaze was caused by the leakage of highly flammable hydraulic oil. Firefighters used environmental protection equipment to absorb the oil and prevent it spreading further.

****The AA reported that Bank Holiday traffic had flowed well in Oxfordshire apart from minor congestion around tourist attractions and village events.