A family has paid tribute to their wonderful and free-spirited brother, who died following a road accident in Witham.

Keith and Ian Buet fondly recalled how their brother Philip - who would have been 32 on Sunday - lived life to the full.

Speaking from their parents' home in Church Road, Wickham Bishops, they remembered Philip's love for outdoor pursuits such as potholing and caving.

Keith said: "He was a real free spirit and enjoyed life. He recently went abseiling in America and was due to come skiing with my family next year."

Last year, Philip took part in the three peaks challenge to raise funds for meningitis and most of his spare time was taken up teaching groups how to cave in Derbyshire as a member of the East Essex Caving Instructors.

The youngest of five, Philip made sure he was always around at Christmas.

Keith said: "He used to spend a lot of time with the family and had a very strong bond with his nieces and nephews."

Philip was always on hand to help both his parents and his aunt and uncle, who also live in Wickham Bishops.

Ian said his brother's mates from the Plume School in Maldon had been stunned by the news.

He added: "He had a lot of nicknames. In the caving team he was known as big bad Buddha and the kids used to call him Uncle Dolly."

Philip, who used to live in King Edward Way, Witham, had been a driver for the Crusader Cab Company for the past 18 months.

Crusader owner Keith Joslin, said: "He was such a nice bloke. Everyone here was shocked when we first heard the news."

Philip Buet was involved in what police described as "a head-on collision" in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Elm Rise, Witham.

An inquest into Philip Buet's death was opened and adjourned at Chelmsford Coroner's Court on Thursday.

A 22-year-old Witham man charged with taking a car without the consent of the owner by which death was caused to another person has been remanded in custody by magistrates.

Chelmsford Magistrates Court refused bail to Dean Brent, 22, of Walnut Drive, Witham, who will next appear before the court on Thursday.

Fondly remembered - Philip Buet.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.