NEIGHBOURS have paid tribute to a caring and popular man who was killed in a bus accident in Astley Bridge.

Delroy Finney, 46, died on Friday afternoon when he was dragged under an Arriva 534 bus for more than 100 metres as it travelled through Oldhams Estate.

Police closed off Athlone Avenue, where the incident happened, and the surrounding areas from 2pm for more than six hours.

Since then residents have been leaving flowers near his home on Oldhams Terrace.

Neighbour Ann Gilpin, who lives on Barlow Park Avenue, paid tribute to Mr Finney on Saturday as a man who loved reggae music and could “always make you smile.”

The grandmother-of-five said she had known him and his family since childhood.

“He was always singing UB40 and Bob Marley. He loved his music”, she said. “You’d see him at the shops and he’d be singing ‘One Love’.

“Everybody loved him, he was a character. I have never heard of him saying a bad word to anybody. I have never met a nicer, kinder guy in my life, or a more caring person.

“The poor driver, too. He looked in a state of shock.”

It is believed Mr Finney — a former pupils at Sharples High School — had only just returned from the Philippines after visiting his wife, who lives there.

Residents say he was getting off the bus when his tracksuit bottoms became trapped and he fell beneath the bus — which continued along the road.

Sgt Lee Westhead, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, asked anyone who has information to come forward.

He said: “Our thoughts are with his family, who are being supported at this tragic time by one of our family liaison officers. If anyone saw the incident, or saw Mr Finney before, they should contact police.”

Officers can be contacted on 0161 856 64741.