The family of a popular 24-year-old man from mid Norfolk who died following a car accident near Thetford have described him as 'loyal' and 'a big family man.'

Eastern Daily Press: An inquest has been opened into the death of Bradley Raper who died following a collision near Thetford. Picture: supplied by Chantelle DwyerAn inquest has been opened into the death of Bradley Raper who died following a collision near Thetford. Picture: supplied by Chantelle Dwyer (Image: Archant)

Bradley Raper, who lived in Scarning, near Dereham, with his mother, died following a collision which occurred on the A1066 near the Shadwell Estate last Tuesday.

His mother, Sallie Denmark, said: 'He was just my world. He loved playing with his cousins Courtney and Paige. Courtney and him grew up together, they were born days apart.

'I work at Cecil Amey opticians in Dereham and they used to call him GC because he was known as the golden child. He couldn't do any wrong.

'He was called Bradley because I was born and raised in Bradenham. That's where he will be laid to rest so he's near my dad.'

Bradley was a keen sportsman and played for both Bradenham Cricket Club and Dereham Cricket Club, as well as following Norwich City Football Club.

His mother added: 'We even bought a people carrier so we could all go to the away games for Norwich.

'We used to go and watch the cricket as well at Trent Bridge and The Oval.

'He wasn't here long but he touched everyone he knew.'

As a boy, he attended Neatherd High School in Dereham and later worked at Abels Removals with his girlfriend Chantelle Dwyer.

She said: 'No one ever had a bad word to say about him. One of the last things one of the guys there said to me was that you just couldn't ask for a better lad than Bradley.

'He will never be forgotten and we will never be thankful enough for the way he made everybody feel.'

His auntie, Sara Greentree, said: 'He was a big family man.

'Bradley had a sister Abbie Jordan and thought the world of her daughter Keira. Abbie is expecting another baby in the next few days and Bradley had been looking forward to being an uncle again.

'He was very loyal to the people he met and he gave his all in everything he did.'

Bradley's funeral will take place at St Andrew Church in West Bradenham.

The date is to be confirmed.