TRIBUTES have been paid to a dad-of-two who died in a road accident in Northumberland.

Robert Curran, 50, from Prestonpans, was driving on the A1 near Belford when his Rover car was involved in a collision with a Scania tipper truck.

Police have launched an investigation into the accident, which happened at 4.25pm last Friday.

Mr Curran’s brother Michael, who lives on Port Seton’s Poplar Park, led tributes to Robert, whom he described as a “talented and caring brother”.

He said: “Robert was very well known locally, he was a great guy and we are all still shocked by his sudden loss.

“It is a very difficult time.” Robert, who worked at Asda at The Jewel in Edinburgh for nearly 10 years, was a champion pool player who represented East Lothian in tournaments during the Eighties and Nineties.

As well as winning titles in the East Lothian Masters Singles and Edinburgh Area Super League, he played in teams for the Lady Susan pub and the Royal British Legion in Prestonpans.

Michael said: “We were both really passionate about pool and as the older brother I taught Robert to play, but it was a case of the student becoming the teacher.

“It was obvious he had real talent – he started beating me!

“We had a lot of fun in the Eighties and Nineties travelling to tournaments and supporting each other. Robert was one of the best pool players in East Lothian.” Robert even won a Scottish snooker title as his skills with the cue took him to competitions across the UK and against international players.

More recently, Robert, who has two daughters Jade, 22 and Amber, 18, had been living in Musselburgh but was, according to his brother “Prestonpans through and through”.

Friends of Robert’s sister Morag Yule sent messages of support to the family as news of his death broke locally. One said “so sad, such a nice guy”, another “such sad, shocking news, thoughts are with you all”.

Plans are under way to bring Robert’s body back to East Lothian and prepare for his funeral.

Michael said: “We are supporting the girls as much as we can.” Northumbria Police said investigations into the accident, which happened on the northbound carriageway of the A1 were ongoing. The driver of the tipper truck was uninjured.