THE parents of a cyclist killed in a collision with a car on a busy Southampton road have paid tribute to their son.

Greg Dear, 27, was rushed to Southampton General Hospital after a crash involving an orange Fiat Punto in Millbrook Road West at about 7.20am on Thursday.

The former Bellemoor Secondary School student, of Cliff Road, Freemantle, was taken to a specialist neurology centre but died later that night.

Parents Steve and Chris said: "Greg was confident, healthy and friendly. He was outgoing and had a really good sense of humour.

"He will be greatly missed by both family and friends."

Greg, who grew up with his elder sister Claire, enjoyed cooking, fishing, darts, cycling and computers.

He worked as a carpenter and tiler and, according to his father, excelled at tiling.

Police continue to appeal to anyone who may have seen the Fiat or Greg on his cycle waiting at the central reservation in Millbrook Road West, waiting to turn towards Regents Park Road.

The 29-year-old woman driver of the Fiat was arrested in connection on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent and dangerous driving. She was released on police bail until January.

She was uninjured in the crash that brought rush hour traffic in the city to a standstill.

Anyone with information can contact Operation Carm at Eastleigh on 0845 045 45 45 or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.