A FAMILY has paid tribute to a Tidworth grandfather and keen cyclist, who died following a hit-and-run just days before Christmas.

David Gunson, of Ludgershall Road, died in Southampton General Hospital on Friday, December 23 after being hit by a red Suzuki Swift while cycling on the A338 the previous evening.

Mr Gunson, a guard for South West Trains, had already been to work earlier that day.

However the employee of more than 20 years volunteered to cycle back into work that evening to cover for a sick colleague.

The dedicated grandfather-of-nine did not own a driving licence and had been a keen cyclist all of his life.

According to stepson, Craig Simpson, the 65-year-old cycled everywhere and had covered the equivalent of the world “five times over” during his lifetime.

Talking about his dad, he said: “He’d cycle to work, to Basingstoke, Winchester, Salisbury. We added it up and over 30 years he cycled the equivalent of five times round the world.

“He was as fit as a butcher’s dog.”

Mr Gunson had been married to wife Christine for more than 37 years after they met during his time in the Army Catering Corp.

The pair, who recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary, married two years later and have remained in Tidworth ever since.

As part of their marriage, Mr Gunson took in Christine’s sons Craig, Glen and Paul.

Craig, who is the youngest of the three brothers, said: “He raised me from about four.

“He always made sure me and my brothers did well at school and followed a career.

“He gave us the guidance to make sure we did well and stay out of trouble. With his help and support he made sure we stayed on the right track. He was very good and always wanted the best for us.”

Asked how he would describe his dad, he added: “He was a tower of strength.”

Mr Simpson, himself a dad-of-two, went on to say that the whole family were “shell shocked” by the incident.

However, the 41-year-old said that both he and his brothers had stayed strong for their respective families over Christmas.

He added that the family had all supported mum Christine, who is “devastated” by her husband’s death.

A 23-year-old man from the Tidworth area has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Police are appealing for information. Contact PC Williamson or PC Cargill at the Collision Investigation Team at Devizes on 101.