LOVING tributes have been paid to an ‘immensely popular and well known’ golfer who died on Sunday after being thrown from his bicycle.

Father-of-one Daniel Richmond, 35, who had been captain of Pleasington Golf Club’s A-Team, was riding his pedal cycle with a friend on Runshaw Lane, near Chorley, when an Audi S3 travelling in the opposite direction failed to negotiate a left hand bend at the M6 motorway bridge and collided with the rear of his bike.

Mr Richmond, who lived in Whittle-le-Woods, received injuries which proved fatal at the scene.

The other cyclist was uninjured in the collision, which happened at around 9.30am.

His wife Fabienne described him as ‘a hard-working, conscientious family man’.

She said: “He was passionate about his family and friends, as well as his hobbies, including cycling, golf, skiing, and trout and salmon fishing. He was funny, with a generous spirit and was successful at everything he turned his hand to. He will be greatly missed.”

Mr Richmond, who leaves one young son, Harry, worked as an account manager for wood importer and distributor Prowood Ltd.

He was also a very accomplished golfer, until recently captain of Pleasington Golf Club’s A-Team.

He played competitively for many years, reducing his handicap to three and leading Pleasington to the Blackburn Inter-Club championship two years ago, playing at other clubs such as Darwen, Clitheroe and Wilpshire golf clubs. Club secretary Chris Williams said news of his death had ‘rocked everyone at the club’. He said: “Dan had been a member since 2003 and along with his father Malcolm had represented the club at all levels, including a successful stint as A Team captain.

“One of Dan’s personal highlights was in 2010 when he won the captain’s prize.

“He was an immensely popular member, a lovely, kind and generous man and will be greatly missed by his many friends here.

“The deepest sympathies of all at Pleasington Golf Club go to the Richmond family.”

Following the incident, the driver of the Audi A3, a 36-year-old man from Ormskirk was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released on police bail until July.