Police have named the van driver who died in an accident on the Orwell Bridge on Friday as 67-year-old Michael (Mick) Rayner from Essex.

Police were called shortly before 7am on Friday to reports of a collision involving a van and an agricultural vehicle on the A14 Orwell Bridge at Nacton.

Mr Rayner, from Ford End near Dunmow, the driver of the vehicle, died at the scene.

The family has issued a tribute to him. The said: “Mick Rayner was and shall always remain such a much loved member of the family.

“A devoted husband, father and grandfather to a family that adored him.

“Mick had a love of travel, a real fondness of Cornwall where many family holidays will now hold such treasured memories.

“Mick was a hardworking man who loved his family and enjoyed time spent working on his garden.

“Mick will be sadly missed by all who knew him and worked with him in Suffolk and Essex. The family would like to thank the emergency services and especially the family liaison officer.”

Investigations into the accident are continuing.

A passenger in the van was not injured in the accident.

The Orwell Bridge was closed for nearly eight hours on Friday as police investigated the circumstances surrounding the crash.

This led to serious road problems in Ipswich – which have in turn prompted new calls for a northern by-pass to be built for the town to help ease the pressure when the bridge is closed,