The family of a north Norfolk clergyman killed in a crash near Fakenham have shared precious memories of the 'eccentric' grandfather.

The Rev John Miller was busy planning his 80th birthday party and golden wedding anniversary before the crash on the A148 at Kettlestone, near Little Snoring, on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Miller, of Walsingham, was airlifted to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, but never regained consciousness and later died of his injuries.

Paying tribute to his father yesterday, his youngest son, Tim, said: 'He spent his life working with vulnerable people. He was eccentric, but very socially adept and he enjoyed chatting to people.'

Mr Miller had been a member of the Norfolk Club, in Norwich, for 25 years and was driving back from lunch there when the crash happened.

'Dad went every Wednesday, he loved it.

'We know that on his last day he had been doing something he really enjoyed,' Tim, 42, said.

The 79-year-old father-of-four retired to Norfolk in 1986, but had remained active in the church, taking an interest in all denominations.

He had recently taken communion services at Foulsham, was a Quaker and had also been attending a Methodist church.

Mr Miller, who was born in Kingston, Surrey, had a life-long faith and would take himself to church as a boy.

After working in a number of jobs, including as a psychiatric nurse, he was ordained as priest at the age of 40 and served in a number of parishes in London and later Birmingham. 'He was a voracious reader and something of a military history expert,' said Tim, a television producer in London.

'Dad had his own health problems to contend with. He knew a lot of people and also baptised, married and buried a lot of people in Norfolk.

'He was planning his 80th birthday party in March and his golden wedding anniversary in May next year. He was looking forward to both events and asked me to give a speech.'

The wedding anniversary was to be a joint celebration with Tim's older sister Rosemary, 47, who is due to celebrate her 25th anniversary.

Mr Miller's wife of 59 years, Pam, added: 'He was really looking forward to it and talked about it every day. I'll miss hearing him shuffle across the gravel when he got back from his daily walk.

'It's not really sunk in yet.'

He also leaves another daughter Clare, 48, and son Martin, 45, and nine grandchildren.

Mr Miller married Tim and his wife, Emma, in 1999 and also baptised four of his grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be confirmed, but donations will go to the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

An inquest into Mr Miller's death is due to open in Norwich today (Friday).

o Mr Miller died after his blue Peugeot 107 was in collision with a red Seat Leon at Kettlestone, near Little Snoring, at 4.20pm on Wednesday.

The Seat driver, a 46-year-old Norfolk man, suffered a serious head injury but has now been released from hospital. Anyone who saw the crash or the manner of driving prior to the collision can call police on 0845 4564567.