CRAIG Dawson -- one of three men killed when a sports car crashed into an electricity sub-station and burst into flames -- was set to move to Australia to start a new life.

The 20-year-old martial arts expert had planned to travel to Australia with his sister, Lisa, and her fiancee, Lee.

But Craig died instantly in the tragic crash on Blackburn Road, Sharples, when the red soft-top Porsche 944 in which he was travelling clipped a bus shelter, spun across a grass verge and hit a sub-station.

His family are devastated. They are not sure exactly why Craig was in the car in the early hours of Tuesday but they believe he and the other two young men were just enjoying a drive around the area and were not heading anywhere in particular.

They fondly remember Craig as a fun-loving, generous man with a cheeky grin who adored women, fishing and martial arts.

He was on the verge of becoming a black belt, a status likely to be posthumously awarded to him following the intervention of his tutor Mike Ward.

Craig's mother, Jill Holmes, aged 42, said: "He wanted to go to Australia to get a life, start afresh. He planned to work there for a year and he hoped the authorities would let him stay.

"I miss him so much, we all do. He was a laid back, kind boy who would have done anything for anyone."

Craig attended Sharples School and left, aged 16, with three GCSEs. He worked as a spray painter and later took a job at Warburtons.

Two months ago he began working at the Spinning Mule pub, on Nelson Square, Bolton, a job his family said he adored more than any other he had.

His sister Lisa, aged 22, said: "His whole attitude changed when he started at the pub. He was buzzing and loved the job. He used to tell us about all the women he met in there -- he had a real eye for the ladies. Craig didn't have a girlfriend, though. He was too busy having a good time; a typical lad with a heart of gold."

Her fiancee Lee, aged 23, who lived with Lisa and Craig in a flat in Hill View Court, Astley Bridge, said: "Craig was a top man and because I'm from Perth in Australia we were always taking about the move abroad."

Ricardo Czutkowna, aged 29, from Tonge Moor, also died in the crash along with the 32-year-old driver who has not been named by police at the request of his family. Flowers and messages of condolence have been pouring into the families of each of those killed.

Among those grieving are Craig's dad, Eddie Dawson, aged 49, and his stepfathers Colin Fairclough, aged 47, and Jeff Holmes, aged 53.

Jeff, who co-owns Bolton Go-Shin Jitsu Club, at Bolton YMCA with Mr Ward, persuaded Craig to take up martial arts.

Mr Ward said: "Jeff said Craig was a bit of a scrapper and wanted him to train with the big boys. He worked his way up to an advanced level and would have been a black belt very soon. I've contacted the Jitsu Association, though, and it's likely he will be regarded as a black belt anyway.

"We were on the verge of getting a team together to compete nationally. Craig would have been an extremely valuable member of that."

The young man's best friend was Kevin Grundy, aged 20. The pair met when they were five-years-old and have been by each other's side ever since.

Jill said: "Kevin will be devastated. When Kevin went travelling for nine months, Craig really missed him. There was a great bond between them." Bill Nissen, the assistant secretary of Ramsey Angling Club, on Horrobin Lane, Turton, would accompany Craig on his frequent fishing trips.

Craig's greatest catch was a 14lb carp. Mr Nissen said: "I'll miss sitting by him to fish and chat.

"I've known him for eight years and in all that time his cheeky grin never failed to raise a smile. He was a smashing lad and will be sorely missed."

Craig's funeral will be held at 1pm on Friday November 22 at St Paul's Church, Astley Bridge, followed by internment at Heaton Cemetery.