TRIBUTES are pouring in for a cyclist who died in a hit-and-run crash on Tuesday night.

Christopher Gibbs, 30, from Poole, died on the southbound carriageway of the A338 Spur Road. Officers believe his bike was involved in a collision with a white Mercedes panel van, later found abandoned on the Nursling Industrial Estate in Southampton.

Mr Gibbs’ father, Rob Barron, has thanked those who have paid tribute.

In a heartfelt post on Facebook, he wrote: “My wife and I would also like to say a massive thank you to the myriad family, friends and even people we’ve never met who have been moved by this story who have sent beautiful messages of love and support and prayers”.

People who have flocked to Mr Gibb’s Facebook page to pay tribute have described him as a “kind, caring and gentle soul” and a “positive and hard-working man”.

At lunchtime on Wednesday, police confirmed a man and woman, both from Southampton, were arrested in connection with the incident.

A 57-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision. He has been released under investigation.

A 57-year-old woman, also from Southampton, who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been released under investigation.