A CARING Grassington man who had a natural gift for working with wood has died in a road accident.

Nicholas Michael Dawson, 30, of Rathmell Fold, was a home-loving man who always said he never wanted to live anywhere but Grassington.

He loved the countryside and liked nothing better than to take his Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Oscar, for long walks.

His pet was in his Fiat car when it was in collision with a Volvo HGV driven by Michael Sandiford, of Blackpool on Monday evening. The dog was not hurt.

The crash occurred on Skipton's northern bypass between the Grassington Road and Gargrave Road roundabouts.

The elder son of Christine and the late Michael Dawson, Nicholas was a gifted cabinet maker who nurtured his talent with Paul Kent's cabinet making business in Grassington.

He began working with Paul on a YTS scheme after leaving Upper Wharfedale School. While attending Keighley College. he won a Student of the Year award.

Tragically, Nicholas' untimely death came while he was waiting to begin a drug rehabilitiation programme.

"Nicholas had a problem with drugs and had been an addict for around six years," said his mother. "For the past two years he had been determined he would give them up so he could lead a normal life.

"All he ever wanted was to live in Grassington and have a family of his own. He adored children and was one of the most kind and caring people you could know. He was looking forward to getting his life back together."

She said there was a lot of misunderstanding about drugs and felt more should be done by the Government to help people overcome their drugs problems.

"Nicholas' latest counsellor was marvellous and managed to get money from Social Services to fund a rehabilitation programme. The saddest thing is that he was waiting to hear any day that he had a place on the programme. It was supposed to start in December but a possible vacancy was cancelled," she added.

Mrs Dawson said she had learned a lot about drugs, not only the stigma often attached to drug abuse, but also about the people who could succumb to them.

"Nicholas was a very quiet, almost introverted person, who didn't let his feelings show very often. But he was also a very nice person who had many firm friends.

"Drug taking can be a form of escape for those who find it difficult to cope with situations. These people need constant counselling to re-programme them into dealing with problems. Coming off drugs is the easy part; it's staying off them which is difficult.

"There should be the help available for those who ask for it. Nicholas knew he was going to need help and was determined he was going to succeed. There was real hope there for him and I cannot thank his counsellor enough for all she had done. Hopefully she will be able to help others who are willing to be helped."

The funeral service is to be held at St Michael's and All Angels' Church, Linton. The date has yet to be arranged, but inquiries can be made to funeral director Jim Stubbs.