A CYCLIST from a Holmfirth club has been killed in a horror accident.

The county’s cycling community is now in mourning after the tragic death of Peter Smith.

Mr Smith, 54, a member of Holme Valley Wheelers for many years, was killed in a collision with a van. The accident happened at about 1.50pm on Saturday on the A1 near Markham Moor in north Nottinghamshire.

He had been measuring out a course for a time trial race.

Mr Smith, who was brought up in Carlecotes, near Penistone, lived in Beauchief, Sheffield, with his wife, Kay.

He was heavily involved in organising cycling races and was secretary for the Cycling Time Trials Yorkshire District organisation. He was also a member of the CTT national committee.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident.

Insp Dave Hibbert, from Nottinghamshire Police, said Mr Smith was cycling along the A1 half-a-mile north of the entry slip road to Balderton and Newark when he was in collision with a white Ford Transit. He died at the scene.

A man has been questioned about the accident.

Mr Smith had been a teacher at East Hill Special School in Sheffield for the past 12 years.

Headteacher Keith Jenkins said pupils and staff were very upset by the devastating news.

He added: “Peter was a very talented teacher who had great empathy for young people and was able to give them excellent support.

“He was a much valued colleague and certainly will be greatly missed by us all.

“He has left us with a very big gap to fill.’’

Peter McGrath, national chairman of the CTT, said: “Peter was a great guy, one of those who had participated in the sport and was prepared to put something back into it.

“He was a super person, well liked by everyone who knew him.

“He was always prepared to help people out, which is exactly what he was doing when he was killed.

“He was a really nice man and was participating in all the things we're doing to try and modernise our sport.

“He will be very much missed.’’

Mick Phillips, chairman of the Yorkshire CTT, said: “He was my right-hand man.

“He always took the job seriously and did some superb work on behalf of all cyclists.

“Apart from that he was just a great guy; you could talk to him about anything.’’