Tributes have been paid to a man who died following an early morning car crash in north Cumbria.

Police say that a car driven by Alistair Dawson, 34, from the Brampton area, came off the road at about 3am on Saturday and collided with a tree.

However, the Nissan Qashqai was not discovered until shortly after 5am by a passing police patrol, which noticed the wreckage near The Crossings Inn pub at Roweltown, north of Carlisle.

The vehicle was said to have had “extensive damage”.

Mr Dawson's wife, Rikki and family today paid tribute to a ‘family man’.

“Alistair was such a family man who adored his children and his family.

"He was kind, funny and hard-working.

"He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends," they said in a statement.

A Cumbria police spokesman said Mr Dawson was taken to Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary but pronounced dead a short while later.

At the scene of the crash loved ones have been leaving their own floral tributes.

People have also been paying tribute to Mr Dawson on the News & Star’s Facebook page.

Wendy Anderson wrote: “Heart breaking. A genuinely lovely man. RIP Al. Thinking of all family and friends.”

Gail Carr posted: “R.I.P. Al, so sad. My thoughts and love go to all his family and friends. Many happy and funny memories of this man.

“Hope his family gets to see this and see all the love and support from people.”

Lyndsey Ferguson wrote: “Our thoughts, hugs and kisses to the family. Al was a lovely, funny, kind man who will be very sadly missed.”

Stephanie ‘Roper’ Fugler said: “Devastating news and such a loss to a lovely family. Thinking about you all.”

Margaret Winter posted: “So sad, lovely lad, and lovely family, thinking about you at this sad time.”

Fire crews from Brampton and Longtown were needed to cut Mr Dawson free from the vehicle and remained in attendance for about one hour.

An investigation into the tragedy has been launched.

Anyone with information that may help is asked to call police on 101.