A CYCLIST who died in a crash with a car was a father-of-three whose wife had given birth to twins just seven weeks ago.

Neil Jaffrey died in hospital after the collision with a silver BMW in North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, at 3.45pm on Sunday.

Mr Jaffrey, who was also known as Eddie, lived with his wife Dawn and their three children - two-year-old Jessica and seven-week-old twins Faye and Isla. He is also survived by his parents Bill and Edna, who live in Insch, and his brother Ian.

Mrs Jaffrey said: "Neil was from a very close family. He was a much loved husband, dad, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to many. He was a popular person and had a sociable nature.

"Jessica absolutely loved spending time with him, whether it was going to the park together or washing the cars."

Mr Jaffrey, who was originally from Insch, went to a local primary school then the Gordon Schools in Huntly. He had worked for Baker Oil Tools since he left school and had recently completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering with the Open University.

His wife said: "He was always a very healthy person and loved sport, predominantly running, cycling and football. He had been in the boxing club in Insch and got more into running when he moved into Aberdeen.

"He was always very supportive and encouraging of others particularly when it came to sport. He was also an avid supporter of Aberdeen Football Club. He was much loved by us all and will be greatly missed."

Meanwhile it emerged that a woman who died after being hit by a lorry during a charity bike ride from John O'Groats to Land's End was an elite rower who had represented England.

Anna Roots, 34, from London, was killed when she collided with the vehicle on the A836 at Bettyhill in Sutherland, on Saturday afternoon.

Mrs Roots died on the first day of the 12-day trip, which she undertook with friend and fellow rower Rebekah Edgar to raise money for the charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Writing on their JustGiving fundraising webpage, Ms Edgar said: "On Saturday 6 September, Anna and I embarked on the first leg of a charity bike ride from John O'Groats to Lands End.

"We had been planning the ride for over a year, and were riding in aid of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research in my memory of Vicky Mustoe.

"The first planned day of our ride took us along the scenic north coast of Scotland to a village called Betty Hill. Tragically as we descended into the village that afternoon Anna was involved in a fatal collision with a lorry.

"Ian, Anna's husband, has asked me to update this page to share pictures of that day, which show Anna enjoying life as she always did."

Mrs Roots, who rowed with the Mortlake Anglian & Alpha Boat Club in Chiswick, west London, rowed successfully in national competitions and represented England at the Commonwealth Rowing Championships in Canada in 2010.

Competing in lightweight sculls categories, she had several trials for Great Britain.

Mrs Roots, whose husband Ian was a coach at the Mortlake Anglian & Alpha Boat Club, also worked with Mark Edgar, head of GB Rowing's medical services, as an administrator in his private physiotherapy practice. Her mother, Irene, also worked at British Rowing for many years.

A spokeswoman for British Rowing said: "We are all saddened by the news and are thinking about all of her close friends and family at what will be a sad time for them."

Tributes were left for Mrs Roots on her JustGiving page, where funds have reached around £10,000.