TRIBUTES have been paid to former British off-road rally champion Paul Choat who died when his car crashed into a telegraph pole and a tree near Ringwood on Saturday.

His partner Beverley, her family and their friends are said to be devastated by his death.

Close friend Barry Watkins said: "Paul was unique, a larger than life character who was willing to help anyone.

"His death leaves a huge hole in many people's lives."

Mr Chaot lived in Green Lane in the centre of Fordingbridge.

He died at about 12.20am on Saturday when his silver Mercedes convertible being driven south along the A338 towards Ringwood left the road just south of the Ivy Lane junction and hit the telegraph pole and tree.

Mr Choat owned the Verwood 4x4 and Mini Centre on the Black Moor Road industrial estate at Verwood.

He was three times British 4x4 off road rally champion driving a Simmbugghini off-roader powered by a 3.5 litre eight-cylinder vee engine from a Range Rover.

When he was at the pinnacle of the sport in the early 2000s, he drove with navigating partner Nikki Kirk as part of the Nettletree Off-Road Racing Team.

He was team technical director and looked after the engines and running gear of all three vehicles, which were designed to travel at high speed across the most rugged terrain.

Police are appealing for witnesses to Saturday morning's crash or to events leading up to it.

  • Contact Acting Sergeant Chris Stone at Totton Roads Policing Unit on 0845 045 4545 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111, quoting Operation Readon.