A GRIEVING father has paid tribute to his son - the "big soft lad" - who died in a car accident on his way to deliver Christmas presents.

Graham Soame has told of his heartache following the death of his son Chris on the day before Christmas Eve.

He explained how the popular football-mad 22-year-old was always there for his friends.

The former Witney schoolboy was on his way to visit his dad when his new Ford Fiesta was involved in a collision with a 7.5-tonne box van.

The accident happened on the A4260 between Deddington and Adderbury at about 9.30am on Sunday, December 23.

Mr Soame, 56, from Chapel Road, South Leigh, said: "I was so proud of him because it was his first car.

"He was coming over to see us to bring our presents and stay for the day and he did not turn up.

"At first it felt so unreal. When I was told I suppose I was in shock. Even now it is not settling down completely.

"It won't ever be right. We were all so stunned."

Mr Soame said Chris - the grandson of Witney antique dealer John Soame - grew up in Witney, where he attended the Batt School, in Marlborough Lane, and then Henry Box School, in Church Green.

He lived with his mother in Warwickshire from 2002 before moving to Grimsbury, in Banbury, where he worked at a mechanic's workshop and then as a metalworker.

He leaves behind his father, mother Joan, sisters Alix, 31, and Vicki, 29, as well as 19-month-old half brother Oliver and his stepmother Janet, who is expecting another child within the next few weeks.

Mr Soame said: "Chris was a typical 6ft young man with a bit of a gruff exterior, but a big soft centre.

"My 'big soft lad' is what I used to call him. He and I were very close. I would honestly say that I was closer to him than any other man on Earth.

"We did at least tell each other how we felt about each other, which people do not always do."

Chris had been nicknamed Footsy' by pals after he broke a toe, his father explained.

He said: "He was a very bright kid.

"His mental arithmetic was great and he was always beating us at quizzes.

"He was also football mad. I always felt he had football talent. When he was ten he scored a goal from a corner kick.

"His love really was Spurs. He and I did get there a few times to watch them and he would also go to Oxford United.

"He had a lot of friends both in Banbury and Witney.

"He would always be there for them. They have told me he was a loyal friend who would give you his last penny."

A funeral service will be held at St Mary Magdalene Church, in Woodstock, tomorrowon Friday, January 4, from 2.30pm.

q=cgeorge.hamilton@nqo.com Crash victim is named THE man who died when his car crashed in Hennef Way, Banbury, at 2.43am on New Year's Day was James Dixon, 29, of Woburn Close, Banbury.

He was driving his black Renault Clio along Hennef Way from the M40 when he failed to negotiate a roundabout.

The car ended up on its roof and Mr Dixon, an aeronautical engineer, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A spokesman for the coroner's office said Mr Dixon was married, but separated from his wife.

Pc Bob Merrill asked for anyone who saw the car prior to the crash or witnessed the accident to call him on 08458 505505 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. KILLED ON THE A4260 THE stretch of road which claimed Chris Soame's life has become notorious following a string of fatal accidents.

Mr Soame was the 11th person in seven years to die on the road between Banbury and Shipton-on-Cherwell.

In September 2006, John Coleman, 44, died less than half a mile from Deddington after his car hit a tree.

In May 2006, former Oxford University student Dr Margaret Davidson, 26, was killed on the road by a reckless driver, and another 27-year-old Banbury man died following a crash near Shipton-on-Cherwell.

In February 2006, Lauren Walker, 21, died on the road at the junction with the B4027.

In 2003, father-of-two Robert Keylock, 44, died after an accident near Deddington.