A FAMILY has paid tribute to a "kind, gentle and helpful" man who died after being hit by a car in Worsley.

Abdelkader Dhrif, aged 70, was walking with his dog Maisie, when a black Ford Ranger collided with them in East Lancashire Road at the junction with Newearth Road.

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 3.30pm on Wednesday, November 20.

Mr Dhrif, known to many as Tony, was pronounced dead despite the efforts of paramedics. Maisie, the family’s little white dog, also died in the collision.

Mr Dhrif's family have paid this tribute to him: "Abdelkader was given the name Tony by staff in an Italian restaurant he worked in many years ago because they thought his real name was too difficult to say. He’s been known as Tony ever since.

"He loved living in Boothstown and was proud to be a member of the local community. He was known and loved by everyone who knew him and would stop and talk with many people on his daily morning walk to Costcutter for a newspaper. He also regularly visited Bexters for an espresso coffee and always had Maisie with him wherever he walked.

"He was a kind, gentle and helpful man who loved to cook for people. So much so that any workmen at the house would be treated to a full cooked lunch every day, whether they had time for one or not.

"He is very sadly missed by all his family and friends and we would ask anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact the police."

A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has since been released under investigation and enquiries are ongoing.

Police said that their enquiries are still ongoing, and have urged members of the public who may have seen Mr Dhrif with his dog before the collision.

Police Constable Darren White of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Although an arrest has been made our enquiries are still ongoing and we are urging anyone who may have seen Abdelkader with his dog Maisie on the side of the carriageway before the collision to contact police so we can piece together the circumstances that led to this tragic incident.

“Any information, dash-cam or CCTV footage could prove vital to our investigation."

Anyone with information should call Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 or 101 quoting incident number 1563 of November 20, 2019, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.