Dad killed as he rode home to son on Boxing Day

The family of a dad knocked down and killed in a suspected hit-and-run have described him as a kind man who would "give anyone the shirt off his back".

Former soldier Lee Kervin, 50, was riding his bike home from the pub where he worked in Ormskirk, Lancashire, when he was struck by a vehicle at about 18:45 GMT on Boxing Day.

His sister, Dawn Kervin, described the single father-of-one as "a man who had the time of day for anyone".

Lancashire Police said a second man, 58, from Skelmersdale, had been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene.

A 29-year-old man from Burscough has been released on bail, the force added.

Mr Kervin, originally from Parbold near Wigan, worked as a handyman and also at the Warbreck Garden Centre and The Plough pub in Dicks Lane.

His sister told BBC News he had been at the pub with friends and colleagues before setting off for the short journey to his home, where he lived with his 20-year-old son, Brad.

Mr Kervin, who joined the Royal Green Jackets after studying at Cross Hall High School, was struck on Dicks Lane and, Ms Kervin said, "left for dead".

She added: "As a family, we just want people to come forward, to help bring the person responsible to justice, and to give our family peace."

Mr Kervin's son described him as "a great father who loved me endlessly and taught me so much".

He died in Aintree hospital in the early hours of 27 December.

Mr Kervin leaves behind parents, Barbara and John, siblings, Dawn and Allan, as well as his son and two nieces and nephews.

In a tribute, his family described him as a "quick-witted chatty social butterfly", who would always chat to anyone friendly.

They said he was well-known in the Parbold community.

"Lee would go out of his way to help anyone he could, always chatting and helping someone out.

"He stepped up to his responsibilities and loved raising Brad to become the man he is today.

"Lee has left a huge void within our small tight-knit family and he will be greatly missed."

Lancashire Police said the force wanted to hear from anyone who saw a Kia Sportage being driven in the area of Dicks Lane between 18:30 and 19:00 on 26 December.

Sgt Chris Evans, from the road policing unit, said the inquiry was "very much ongoing".

"I would ask anyone with information or footage which could help our enquiries to make contact with the police as soon as possible," he said.

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