LOVING tributes have been paid to a man who was killed in Hillingdon making a short trip from a fast food restaurant to his home.

Malcolm Robinson, 41, of Auriol Drive, Hillingdon, was struck by a car on Thursday as he left a takeaway and tried to cross a busy road.

The fatal accident happened on Long Lane, Hillingdon, near the junction of Hillingdon Circus at 9.10pm.

Debbie King, 45, who lives on Auriol Drive, said: "He was like the brother I never had, he was my best mate, a diamond.

"We are lighting candles round the clock for him, we cancelled our residents meeting because none of us can sleep.

"Malcolm was the nicest kindest man, and a successful runner, his flat is full of trophies. He had everything to live for.

"He was mad on sport, he sat up right through the night during the Olympics."

In his youth, Mr Robinson ran with famous names such as Linford Christie, Steve Ovett, and Sebastian Coe before becoming a plasterer.

"The car threw him up in the air and he double somersaulted before landing on his head, my friend saw him lying there in a pool of blood.

"This road is like a race track, people don't know it's only 30mph, there's no speed bumps and only one camera, its lethal."

Flowers were left at the scene on the roadside by his parents, who live in Harrow-on-the Hill, and his girlfriend of five years, who lives in Stanmore.

He had visited fast food outlet Favourite Chicken and Ribs a matter of moments before his death, and his last movements were captured on CCTV.

Patha Sri, manager of the takeaway, said: "He was one of those people that everybody knew, we cannot believe what happened."

He was in collision with a dark red Peugeot 406 estate, which was being driven by an 18 year-old man.

No arrests have been made, and the driver is assisting police with their enquiries, and was alone in the car at the time of the accident.

A post mortem was carried out on Friday and the cause of death was judged to be a severe head injury, killing him instantly.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or can assist police with their inquiries should call the witness line, 020 8998 5319.