'Irreplaceable'.

That's how a family have described John Walmsley, 59, killed in a crash on the M25 on Tuesday.

The Highways Agency worker, of Doria Drive, Gravesend, was on foot when he was hit by a car as emergency services tackled an earlier crash near south Chevening.

His family have now released a statement, paying tribute to the popular traffic officer.

It said: "John Walmsley, our dad, was a great dad, grandad and most importantly great husband, who is irreplaceable.

"He had the affection and respect of just about everyone he come in contact with, due to his honesty and kindness with/to them.

"He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. xx"

The tribute comes after the two M25 crashes on Tuesday afternoon.

Police were originally called at around 1.40pm to the first crash involving one vehicle near south Chevening.

But as they attended that accident, at around 2.15pm the officer was hit by a maroon Vauxhall Vectra - just before the M25 joins the M26 on the clockwise carriageway.

The car was travelling from the direction of Dartford towards Surrey.

Two people were taken to hospital - one with injuries believed to be serious and the other with minor injuries.

A Highways Agency spokesman said earlier this week: "We can confirm a Highways Agency Traffic Officer was involved in a fatal incident at around 2.50pm yesterday at junction 5 of the M25 near Sevenoaks.

"The officer's next of kin have been informed and our deepest sympathies are with them at this time.

"The Highways Agency is liaising with relevant investigating authorities and as such it would not be appropriate to comment further."

Witnesses are asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538.