Police have named the man who died when his car exploded following a crash.

Lymington postmaster Vasta Odedra, 29, was pronounced dead at the scene following the crash on A337 at Everton, near New Milton, a week ago today.

He had spent the day with friends in London was returning home when the accident happened near the entrance to Otter Nurseries.

His widow Shanti paid tribute to her late husband, describing him as a “kind and friendly man who made friends wherever he went”.

She added: “The postmaster at Lymington Post Office had only recently moved into the area with his loving wife and had lived in the area for less than two months with big aspirations of setting up his own business.

“His dream had been to run his own Post Office and he had finally managed to realise his dream, however in the early hours of May 29, when was taken away from us on his trip back home after meeting friends in London.

“He was a kind a friendly person and made friends wherever he went. He was loved by family and friends and he will be sorely missed after having only been with us so briefly.”

Officers from Totton Roads Policing Unit are still keen to hear from anyone who may have stopped at the scene or drove past following the collision.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sgt Glen Barham at Totton Police Station on 101, quoting Operation Ascella.