Former Oxford United star Martin Aldridge has been killed in a horrific head-on car crash.

Mr Aldridge, 25, suffered serious head injuries following the smash on the A45 in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

Police say his Peugeot car shot across the town's bypass, hitting a BMW heading in the opposite direction. It is not yet known what caused the accident, near the Turnells Mill junction on Saturday.

Aldridge, who was living in Lancashire, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, for treatment to his head injuries but he died several hours later. It is understood the driver of the BMW, a 47-year-old Northamptonshire man, escaped injury.

The popular player enjoyed two successful seasons at the Manor Ground.

Former United boss Denis Smith brought Mr Aldridge to Oxford in December 1995 from Northampton Town, his home-town club, on a free transfer.

The well-known striker was instrumental in United's successful 1995-96 promotion campaign. He was released by United in the summer of 1998, and moved on a free transfer to Blackpool after his contract expired. Within the past two weeks, Mr Aldridge had moved on loan to Rushden and Diamonds to play in the Nationwide Conference.

United's first-team coach Mickey Lewis said: "Everybody's devastated here. He was a smashing lad."

Story date: Monday 31 January

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