A Moretonhampstead man aged 64 who died after his car hit a dry stone wall on Dartmoor has been named as David Pitcher.

Mr Pitcher owned the Court Street Garage, Court Street, and was well-known in the town.

Friends have described his death as a terrible shock.

His red Toyota MR2 struck a dry stone wall on the B3212 at Moorgate, North Bovey, on Monday some time after 7pm.

A post mortem has yet to take place, but it is thought that he may have suffered a heart attack at the wheel.

Paramedics received a call at 7.43pm and despatched a doctor and ambulance. First aid was administered but he was declared dead at the scene.

A close friend, who asked not to be named, said: 'It is an incredible shock. He had a great sense of humour and was always willing to help out. He could turn his hand to most things. He was a good-old-fashioned mechanic. If it was broken, he could fix it.

'About 20 years ago he used to be a rally driver, a very good one. He won lots of awards and was well-respected in the rally world.'

She said that he took over the garage from his father and ran it 'pretty much 24/7'. In the past he had done police recovery work but gave it up several years ago.

John Willis, chairman of Moretonhampstead Development Trust, one of Mr Pitcher's customers, said: 'It is a shock. He was a larger than life character, well-known in the town.'

Mr Pitcher was divorced and leaves a daughter, Judith and three grandchildren.

Police, fire and ambulance attended. The road was closed for approximately six hours while police collision investigators examined the scene.

Police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident or saw a red Toyota MR2 some time shortly before 8.15pm in the vicinity of the incident to contact police on 101, quoting log number 604 of 19 September 2011.