A MAN who died in a collision with a lorry near Wareham has been described as a “proper gentleman” and a “wonderful neighbour”.

The victim, named locally as Ivan Hall, was on foot near Wareham Forest Tourist Park when the crash with the lorry occurred in Bere Road around 12.45pm on Thursday.

Mr Hall, 78, known locally as Nobby, lived in the residential mobile homes park behind the Silent Woman Inn.

It is believed that patrons at the inn rushed to offer medical assistance after hearing about the incident.

Traffic police also rushed to the incident and both land ambulances and the air ambulance were called to attend. However Mr Hall was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Volvo lorry, which was travelling towards Wareham from Bere Regis, was uninjured.

Police are still trying to establish the circumstances which led to the crash and are asking for any witnesses to get in touch.

Mr Hall has been described as a “huge part” of the Coldharbour community and had lived behind the Silent Woman Inn for around 30 years.

His next-door neighbour Jean Shereston, 82, said she was devastated to hear the news about Mr Hall’s death and that he would be hugely missed.

“I have been here 30 years and throughout that time Nobby has been such a lovely neighbour,” she added.“My husband had Alzheimer’s and Nobby always used to help me out. On one occasion we had a gravel delivery and without even saying anything he cleared it all away so I wouldn’t have to do it.

“There are so many examples over the years of his lovely nature. He was an excellent chap and a proper gentleman.

“I know he had been ill for a while but his death was a real shock for me and I will really miss him.” Former neighbours Colin Godwin and Mike Stockley described ‘Nobby’ as a “real character”.

Mr Stockley said he was a big part of the local community and the mobile home park as well. “He was a great guy and will be really missed. Everyone liked him and he was really well known here.”

Anyone with information about the collision on Thursday should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 10:221.