The family of Barry Britton, the father of two killed when his car collided with a bus in icy conditions on the A6 at Blackrod, have paid tribute to him.

Barry, aged 48, of Highfield Road, Adlington, suffered serious injuries in the collision on the A6 just before 7.20am yesterday. He was pronounced dead at the scene despite paramedics’ efforts to save him.

Barry's wife Julie and two children Dale, aged 21, and Elliot, aged 16, said: "Barry will be desperately missed by his family and friends.

"He was a prison officer for 16 years and died in a tragic accident.

"Barry was a loving husband, married for 24 years, and a proud and wonderful Dad.

"Everyone who met him loved him. He touched people's lives with his generosity, kindness and humour.

"His laugh was loud and infectious.

"He will be sadly missed by everyone."

Barry was driving along the A6 bypass in his Saab when the double-decker bus crashed into him after being hit by a Renault Megane.

A third car, a BMW, careered into a field after the driver swerved to avoid the accident.

Four other people were taken to hospital with minor injuries and were later discharged.

It emerged has that a motorist dialled 999 to report the dangerous state of the road, caused by black ice, 30 minutes before the crash.

And it was also revealed that local councillors have been calling for action for years, because the stretch where the accident happened, between Grimesford Lane and Station Road, is regularly covered with a layer of surface water in bad weather.

Graham Farrington, a Blackrod town councillor, said the problem of water running down the hill on to the road and the danger of it freezing had been raised with Bolton Council a number of times in the last two years.

He said: “I am not surprised in the slightest that there has been an accident. It’s terrible that something like this has to happen before anyone takes any notice.

“Bolton Council is well aware of the problem. There are simply no excuses.”

The southbound carriageway was closed for nine hours as police carried out a detailed investigation at the scene.

A resident has described how she ran outside to help after hearing the crash.

Jacqui Cocker, aged 41, a mother of two who lives at Woodsbarn Farm, said: “I heard the bus skidding, then an almighty bang. It sounded like a plane crashing.

“I ran outside and there were people stumbling out of cars and others helping. It was terrible” James Dickinson, a 36-year-old company director, was driving to work in Horwich when he passed the crash scene.

He said: “There was ice on the road and I realised there were cars coming that couldn’t see the accident, so I stopped and put my hazards on to warn people. Even the fire engine skidded as it approached.”

Mark Walsh, a 46-year-old professional driver, was returning from a night shift in Manchester at 6.50am when he nearly crashed on the same stretch.

Mr Walsh, from Adlington, said: “It was pitch black, then I suddenly hit water and the ice. It felt like a flat tyre. Luckily, I managed to regain control.

“I pulled over and called 999 and told them: ‘It’s not just a bit of ice. Someone could end up getting themselves killed down it’s that bad’.”

A council spokesman said the road had been gritted on Monday night, adding it was too early in the police investigation to comment further.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said Mr Walsh’s 999 call had been handed over to the Highways Agency.

Traffic police are appealing for witnesses to contact the road policing unit on 0161 856 7201.