A pedestrian who died in a road traffic collision in Westhoughton has been named.

Peter David Tatlock, 30, of Bolton, died at about 3am on Saturday when he collided with a blue Vauxhall Vectra private hire cab on Manchester Road, (A6), near the Chequerbent roundabout.

He suffered multiple injuries in the collision and was pronounced dead by ambulance crews at the scene.

In a joint statement, Peter's parents Susan and Peter said: "He had a nine-year-old son, Cole, who he adored. Peter was always up for a laugh. He was a clown with a big heart and was very popular.

"He will be sadly missed by all, particularly his girlfriend of the last three years, Kelly, and her two children Rhys and Ryley.

"He was a Liverpool FC fan and loved his music. He enjoyed going camping in the Lake District with Kelly and dreamt of going back packing abroad."

Mum Susan said: "I'm going through all sorts of emotions - numb, angry, sad and bitter and then you remember the good things in his life.

"He was a jack-the-lad."

Dad Peter added: "I was always there for him. I am numb. I don't know what to do. I never thought I'd bury him. I miss him and love him so much."

Girlfriend Kelly said: "I am in complete anguish. He was my life, my world. He was a dad to Ryley who loved him, massive. He will be missed every day. We were soul mates. We were meant to be."

A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by driving without due care and attention and has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Police are appealing to the driver of a car that was travelling towards Westhoughton at around the time of the collision and may have had to swerve to avoid something in the carriageway to come forward.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call the Area One Road Policing Unit on 0161 856 7201.

A teenage boy has described how the taxi in which he was travelling had to swerve to avoid what the occupants thought was a bin bag in the road, only to find out it was the stricken body of the pedestrian The 17-year-old, a student at Bolton College, used his mobile phone to call an ambulance, just as a crew arrived at the scene.

The teenager said: “I was travelling back to Westhoughton with my girlfriend and her friend in a taxi.

“The driver suddenly swerved to avoid what we thought was a bin bag in the road. When he reversed, we realised it was the body of a man. Opposite, a man was standing outside a car with his head in his hands, rocking.”

He added: “I went over to the man on the ground, who was still breathing, but it was getting shorter and shorter. It was obvious he had very serious head injuries No one could really have done anything.”

Part of Manchester Road was closed to traffic following the incident. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance crews.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call the road policing unit on 0161 856 7201.