A GIFTED chef hailed a ‘gentle giant’ died in a car crash after drinking only two pints.

Matt Wilson lost control of his car and collided with a tree two days before his 22nd birthday. He was only travelling at 43mph.

His wrecked black Renault was in Runcorn yesterday (Tuesday) and will be at Asda tomorrow (Thursday), as his family hope his smashed car will have an impact on drivers.

They are supporting Cheshire Police’s think campaign, a Christmas crackdown on drink driving.

His dad, Dean, aged 55, from Poynton, said: “The pain doesn’t go away. I still feel physically sick when I’m around the car.

“The effect the car has had on people has been extraordinary. People guess he was driving at 70mph when they see it yet he was only doing 43mph.

“He was over the limit but had only drunk two pints.

“I’m just hoping Matt is making a difference changing people’s lives. We’re convinced that someone will be sat around the Christmas lunch table who may not have been there if they had not come across our story.”

Matt was working at The Swan at Tarporley.

His dad said: “He was very passionate about being a chef. His boss was buying a new pub with a restaurant and giving it to Matt to look after.

“Matt was highly regarded in the industry.

“He was a big guy, 6ft 4ins, a big gentle giant. He loved being with people, a real family guy.”

Matt died on October 8, 2009. His tissue has saved three lives.

Runcorn Inspector Gareth Lee, said: “Drink driving offences and collisions with death or serious injury are becoming more prevalent among 17-25-year-olds.

“We will be patrolling Halton in the evenings, early hours and mornngs. It takes a long time for alcohol to get out of your system.”

Around 173 people aged between 17 and 25 are killed or seriously injured in Cheshire every year.