THE family of Lee Dawson, who died in a car crash near St Ives two weeks ago, have paid tribute to a likeable rogue . His parents, Susan and Peter Dawson, both 53, were away in Canada at the time of the accident, visiting their younger son, Craig, who wo

THE family of Lee Dawson, who died in a car crash near St Ives two weeks ago, have paid tribute to "a likeable rogue".

His parents, Susan and Peter Dawson, both 53, were away in Canada at the time of the accident, visiting their younger son, Craig, who works in Toronto.

They have spoken publicly this week for the first time after arriving home in St Ives on Saturday.

Mrs Dawson said: "We want to thank everyone for sending us so many lovely cards and for their expressions of sympathy and support. It has been overwhelming."

Lee Dawson, 30, died on Tuesday, September 18, after his car collided with a lorry on the A1123 between St Ives and Wyton.

Mr Dawson, who was on his way back from Huntingdon, was only minutes away from his family home in Albemarle Road when he was killed. In another irony, the accident was attended by Magpas where his mother works as an administrative assistant for the First Responder Scheme.

After hearing about the accident, Mrs Dawson rang her colleagues at Magpas, who had attended the incident.

The couple had been in Canada just 24 hours when they heard the news and returned home with Craig, 27.

Craig had not seen his brother since May 2005, but said they were in regular telephone contact. "We used to phone each other for advice," he said.

Lee was driving his mother's Toyota Corolla when he clipped a lorry and crossed the road, crashing into a tree.

His parents said he had developed a drink problem after he and his long-term girlfriend had lost their unborn baby at five months in April 2002. The couple, who had been together for 14 years, having met at St Ivo School, had split up two years ago.

Lee's mother, Susan said: "He loved children and when he had been drinking he would say: 'I should be a dad' and he would mention how old the child would be by now."

After he split from his girlfriend, Lee had bought a house but could not come to terms with living on his own, his parents said. He sold it and moved back home.

Peter Dawson added: "He had a real battle with the bottle. He had been on three detox sessions but one day he just said he was going to stop drinking - and he had stopped drinking during the week. He had a new job and he seemed to be feeling better. He was planning to move out to share a house with two friends. He had plans for his future. We thought there was a light at the end of the tunnel."

Mrs Dawson said Lee had been a thoughtful son. "He was a great lad to have around, a pleasure to have at home. He had a great sense of humour - he could go into a pub and not know anyone and by the end of the night he would know at least half the people there."

Lee Dawson's funeral will be at the West Chapel of Cambridge Crematorium on Friday, October 5, at 12.45pm. There will be family flowers only but donations can be made to Magpas.