THE son of a well-known Dalton-in-Furness bodybuilder has been killed in a car accident just four hours into his 19th birthday.

Lee Alan Cooksey had been returning to his Frodsham home after a night out when his Renault Clio careered off the road on a bend and smashed into a lamp post.

The fatal crash happened at 4.05am on Tuesday, July 13, on the A5117 Shotwick to Helsby by-pass. No other vehicles were involved.

Mr Cooksey's dad, Dalton-based bodybuilder Steve Cooksey, this week paid tribute to his son.

"He was a normal, happy-go-lucky, teenager," he said. "He liked going out and having a good time.

"We are all distraught."

The teenager was a former pupil of Barrow's Abbotsmead Junior School. He left the town ten years ago to move to Cheshire with his mum Michelle and brother Terry, now 17.

Lee had just completed a two-year sports science course after leaving Helsby High School.

He was about to start a job on a computer helpline.

In a statement issued by Cheshire Police, the family said: "Lee was well loved by all, he lived life to the full. Mum, Dad, Terry, Nanna and all the family will miss him dearly ' Lee's funeral is being held today in Cheshire.