Tributes have been paid to a Black Country father-of-two who was killed in a car crash on his way home from the gym.

David Clarke, aged 37, died when his BMW vehicle left the road and hit a tree in Harborne earlier this month. His family today spoke for the first time about their loss. Mr Clarke grew up in west London before moving to Smethwick and attending Leasowes School in Halesowen.

After leaving he entered the field of computer programming, eventually working at GeoPost UK in Smethwick.

He is survived by his son Josh, two, and daughter Yasmine, 16, who live with their mother, Mr Clarke’s ex-partner, Paula Dean, in Wren’s Nest, Dudley.

Speaking at Mr Clarke’s family home in Tame Road, Oldbury, mother Marie Boyce, aged 60, said: “We will miss him forever. We love him so much.

“He was a wonderful son. He would give his last penny to you.”

Friend Dave Jones, aged 35, from Quinton, said: “He was really honest and open. He was the best friend you could really want. He made friend’s easily and didn’t lose them.”

Mr Clarke was a keen Liverpool City FC fan and enjoyed Formula 1 and music. He played five-a-side football with workmates, but had stopped so he could spend more time with Josh.

He had been travelling back from Fitness First on the Pershore Road in Birmingham when the tragedy struck.

Mr Jones said: “He was hard working. I’ve spoken to his boss who said David was the best at what he did and that the whole team at GeoPost are utterly distraught.”

Mr Clarke’s funeral will be held on Thursday at King’s Community Church, Tame Road, at 12 noon.

Police are investigating the crash, which happened on June 6.