Friends, family and work colleagues have paid tribute to a “kind and loving” father-of-three, who was killed in a horrific ten-vehicle pile-up.

Matthew Barker, 39, died on Tuesday morning, when the Ford Focus he was driving was involved in a multi-vehicle collision on the A41 (southbound), at Junction 20 of the M25.

Police, paramedics, fire crews and an air ambulance were called to the scene at about 9.15am, following reports of the huge smash which included a petrol tanker and a large lorry.

Mr Barker, of Stanhope Road, Aylesbury, leaves behind his wife Jackie, three children; Mia (nine), Sam (seven), Cory (three), mother Chris and many friends.

His body was formally identified by his wife and mother yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.

Mr Barker had worked at the Watford branch of Tesco for the past ten years.

He started his career at their petrol station in Colney Hatch 23 years ago, progressing to checkout manager at the Lower High Street store.

Mr Barker met his wife while they were both working at the supermarket in Enfield, and they became a couple in 1999.

They moved to Aylesbury in 2003 and married in September 2005.

Mrs Barker said: “Matthew was a joker. He had a great personality and would never take anything too seriously. He was a gentle giant.

“He had such a big heart and would do anything for anyone. He worked so hard all of his life and always ensured he provided for us all.

“He was a real family man. He had Thursdays off and we always went out so he could spend some quality time with all of us.

“We always did something together as a family, our children were the most important thing to him and he loved spending time with us all.

“People thought so highly of him and would often ask for his advice, he would always be there for them. He was just so nice to be around.

“Since this happened we have had a constant stream of visitors. People have been so kind and said so many nice things.

“He was a kind and loving husband, father and son and words cannot describe how much we will miss him.”

Work colleagues were in a state of shock on Wednesday, after store managers broke the news.

A checkout assistant, who had worked alongside Mr Barker for a number of years, said: “A notice explaining what had happened was pinned to the board in the staffroom.

“Some people started crying, others have been left in complete and utter shock. I think most of us are still trying to take it all in.

“Everyone knew Matt, he was really well liked.

“It’s his wife and kids you feel the worst for though. It’s terrible.”

According to other members of staff, he was believed to have changed the time of his shift for that day at the last minute.

Paying tribute to Mr Barker’s hard work over the years, Tesco store manager, Graham Illingworth, said: “Matt was a highly valued, trusted and hard working team member.

“He will be sorely missed by all staff at the store and by the customers he served. “All our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Nine others were injured in the ten vehicle pile-up, including a woman who is undergoing treatment for serious damage to her arm at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.

A 42-year-old Romanian national, Ionel Bordieanu has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

He has been remanded and will appear at St Albans Crown Court on May 3 for a plea and directions hearing.