A YOUNG man died in a car crash on a trip to scatter his gran's ashes.

Ryan Hamilton, 31, had travelled from Alvaston to his grandmother's home town of Scunthorpe with other members of his family.

They were there to bid farewell to Rennie Holroyd, who died in October.

While staying with relatives, Ryan decided to go for a drive in the early hours of the morning to see a favourite spot he remembered from his childhood.

He died instantly when his car left the road and hit a signpost. His family believe he may have lost control of the vehicle in icy conditions.

They have paid tribute to Ryan as "a fearless, fun-loving son, brother and fiancee".

Sister Lisa Simpson, a mother-of-four, said: "We just can't believe this has happened to us."

Ryan's mum, Lorraine Hamilton, from Oakwood, said Ryan was very close to his grandmother and had been shattered by her death. The family were in Scunthorpe to scatter her ashes at the local crematorium where her husband's ashes had also been scattered.

Lorraine said of Ryan: "He was my little boy; an angel who always put everyone else before him."

Ryan's funeral was held on Thursday. The football and music-lover was cremated in his Sunday morning football team's kit.

As well as Lisa and Lorraine, Ryan leaves devastated father Don and fiancee Vicky Ginno. They were joined at the funeral by hundreds of mourners.

Sister Lisa said: "We were so close, I just feel like I have lost part of my own body.

"He used to come for tea every Tuesday. My kids are really struggling because they loved him so much."

Lorraine, 56, a cook at Pear Tree Baptist Church, said she was too upset to go to see Ryan's body.

Lorraine said: "He just had this knack of making people feel better. He empathised with people aged nine to 90 and was so popular."

Ryan, of Penzance Road, Alvaston, spent the first eight years of his life in Africa, where Don worked as a sales engineer.

The family moved to Derby in 1989 and Ryan and Lisa were both educated at Ecclesbourne School, Duffield.

Leaving at 16 he took up an apprenticeship at International Combustion in Derby, but lost his job when the firm was taken over by Rolls-Royce.

For the past five years he has been working in heating and plumbing.

It was at International Combustion that he met fiancee Vicky and they were together for 13 years.

Vicky, 32, a sales manager, said: "We got engaged 10 years ago but never got round to getting married.

"He proposed to me dressed as a sailor because he knew I loved a man in uniform."

She said Ryan loved playing football, whether for his Sunday morning team Draka Sports FC or five-a-side.

He also loved his music, especially Metallica, Lily Allen, dance and trance music.

Don, 55, of Bishop's Drive, Oakwood, said even from a young age his son was fearless.

He said: "One time his football team were in the pub after the match and they were daring each other to do things.

"Ryan said he would drink a whole bottle of Tabasco sauce, so the lads all chucked in some money and he did it, earning around £50 along the way."

A Facebook group in his memory has 250 members.

One message, from Aloysia Carnell, reads: "So smiley, so positive. I was always giggling when you were around."

Ryan's funeral was held at Markeaton Crematorium, followed by a celebration of his life at the White Hart pub, Duffield.

An inquest has been opened into the accident.

To leave a message for Ryan visit www.thisisderbyshire.co. uk/lasting tribute