Tributes have been paid by the family and friends of a devoted husband and father who died when he was involved in a three-car collision on the M25, near London Colney.

Kevin Heffernan, 49, lived with his wife Patricia and their six year old son in Leverstock Green.

He died at the scene of a collision which occurred on the M25 at about 11.35pm between Junction 23 near South Mimms, and Junction 22, for London Colney, on Sunday March 27.

Paying tribute to her husband, Patricia said the couple got married in 2000 after meeting two years earlier while on holiday in Tenerife.

She said: “We fell in love straight away and we were inseparable.”

Kevin was a well-respected project manager for design firm Maris Interior and worked on many high profile jobs such as Fremantlemedia and Age UK.

Patricia added: “He loved his work. He loved going to work, but most of all he loved coming home to us.

“He was just so happy with everything. He was just content.”

Kevin was also a Formula One and Lewis Hamilton fan – a passion he shared with his young son.

Good friend Gary Crouch described Kevin as, “the most reliable person I have ever met.

“If you asked him to do something he would do it.

“He was a straight talking guy and that was what I liked about him, but he was also calm and laid-back.”

Another close friend, John Parker, said: “I have known Kevin since I was 17 and he has had a big impact on my life.

“He has been a good friend for the last 30 years. A good solid character who knew his own mind and someone you would go to for advice.”

His funeral will be held at St Mary and St Joseph Church in Boxmoor on Monday, April 18 at 12.30pm.

Kevin’s family have asked that donations be made in his memory to NSPCC.