A FAMILY has paid tribute to a father-of-three killed in a road accident near Staindrop, County Durham, at the weekend.

Paul Anthony Armstrong, 34, was travelling along the A688 when his blue Ford Mondeo left the road and crashed just before Dunhouse Quarry during the early hours of Sunday, April 26.

The car came to rest in a field and Mr Armstrong was pronounced dead at the scene.

Born and raised in Cockfield, near Bishop Auckland, Mr Armstrong has been described by his family as a "much loved son, brother and father who will be sadly missed".

His mother, Kathleen said: "Paul was a brilliant dad to his three children, Brandon, Grace and Max and loved spending time with all of them. He was a good son and brother.

"Paul was a carefree, fun-loving, happy man who loved to play and watch football, playing five-a-side on a Sunday morning. He was well liked within the local village and had a large circle of friends."

The road was closed for almost five hours while the collision investigation unit examined the scene.

Police are trying to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the accident, and are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen Mr Armstrong or his Mondeo during Saturday evening or early Sunday morning.

Any witnesses are urged to contact the collision investigation unit at Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit on 01642-301558 or Durham Police on 101.