A FAMILY is mourning the loss of a prominent Suffolk estate agent who has died in a tragic road accident.

Philip Scarff was named by police as the cyclist killed in the accident on the old A12 south of Ipswich.

The 37-year-old, who lived near Stowmarket, died after his cycle was involved in a collision with a 4x4 vehicle on the Old London Road at Copdock on Friday.

He was a partner in local estate agents Lacy Scott and Knight, specialising in agricultural land management and the sale of farm buildings.

The driver of the 4x4 was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been bailed to report back to Ipswich police station in October.

He is understood to come from the Ipswich area.

Mr Scarff’s family were today preparing a tribute to him. He was married and lived with his wife Jenny just outside Stowmarket.

The accident happened at about 5pm on Friday. Mr Scarff suffered serioushead injuries in the collision and was pronounced dead on arrival at Ipswich Hospital.

The coroner has been informed about the death and an inquest is expected to be opened within the next few days.

The old A12 through Copdock has been in the news over recent days because of fears it could become even more of a rat-run for vehicles attempting to avoid the A12/A14 roundabout if more traffic lights are installed which slow down traffic.

The Old London Road is the former A12 which was by-passed in the mid-1980s.

It remains a dual carriageway, although it has a low speed limit on, and there are already an increasing number of cars using it as an alternative route to avoid the Copdock Mill roundabout.