Tributes have been paid to a much-loved father who died following a crash.

Emergency services were called to the incident involving a white Honda and a blue Vauxhall on the junction of Whiligh and High Street in Ticehurst on December 8.

Despite the best efforts of medics, the passenger of the Honda, Michael Bartholomew, from Wadhurst, lost his life days after the collision in hospital on December 21.

The 81-year-old driver of the Honda was also taken to hospital with serious injuries and has since been discharged.

Michael’s family thanked emergency services for the care they gave the 80-year-old and paid tribute to the father of two.

“We want to thank all of the police officers, air ambulance and hospital staff who were so good with Michael,” they said.

“The care he received was amazing.

“Michael was a footballer in his younger days and an avid cricketer. He belonged to a sports club and was in rotary for more than 20 years.

“As a plumber by trade, everyone knew him in Wadhurst. He was a much-loved man in the village.

“Michael, a father of two, was the partner of Eileen for 13 years after he lost his first wife, and they spent many happy years together.”

Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision or captured any relevant CCTV or dashcam footage to contact collision.appeal@sussex.police.uk, quoting Operation Northorpe.