A grieving family today told how a cyclist killed in a road accident on the A19 north of York died as he prepared for a charity bike ride.

They said Noel Green, 63, was a kind man who lived for his family and his garden.

Mr Green, a former security officer at Debenhams in York, died after being struck by a lorry just outside the Little Chef restaurant near Shipton-by-Beningbrough at 3pm yesterday.

He had been cycling with a friend, Colin Lowe, of Strensall, as part of a training programme for a 20-mile charity bike ride.

Mr Green's widow, Nora, was today being comforted at the family home in Manor Park Road, Rawcliffe, by friends and family. The couple had three sons, Philip, Stephen and Iain, and a grandson, Matthew, aged two.

Mrs Green, who works part-time in the Scout Shop in Micklegate, York, today paid a moving tribute to her husband of 39 years.

She told the Evening Press: "He just lived for his family and his garden. He would like to be remembered as a gardener and he always helped everybody with their garden. Gardening was his life."

She said when the couple moved into their Rawcliffe home three years ago the back garden had been a wilderness which Mr Green had transformed into a beautiful garden.

She said her husband and Mr Lowe were stood at the side of the road when the accident happened, but she did not blame the driver of the heavy goods vehicle.

She said: "I can feel for the driver; he must be devastated."

She said since a knee operation last year her husband had taken up cycling because it was easier for him to get around than by walking. She said he was not wearing a helmet yesterday but added he did not suffer head injuries.

And she thanked her friends, neighbours and family for the support they had given her in the past 24 hours.

She said: "The neighbours round here and my friends have been marvellous. One took us up to hospital last night to save us from driving."

Mr Green's son Philip, of Eaglescliffe, Cleveland, also thanked friends for their help. He said: "There's being a constant stream of friends and relatives ringing up asking if they could stay or if there was anything they could do."

Mr Green was cycling towards York near Shipton-by-Beningbrough with Mr Lowe when he was in collision with the seven-and-a-half ton goods vehicle.

He was certified dead at the scene. The driver of the lorry, from the Barnby Dun area of Doncaster, was treated for shock, as was Mr Lowe.

Margaret Dent, manager of the nearby Little Chef, said staff heard a bang and thought it was the back door of the restaurant closing - but then realised it was a tyre bursting.

She said when they looked outside they saw a lorry pulled into the side of the road and a bicycle lying on its side. A man with serious injuries was lying in a ditch.

She said moments before she had seen two elderly gentlemen cycle past on the A19 towards York.

Staff took coffee and water to the dead man's friend and witnesses to the accident.

Police believe a party of motorcyclists, possibly Army dispatch riders, were driving past the scene when the accident happened and have appealed for them or any other witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information should call 01609 783131.

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