GENEROUS shoppers at a Newport newsagents have been digging deep in their pockets to raise funds for flowers and tributes to popular student Irfan Khan, who died a week ago.

More than £200 has been donated by customers at the newsagents where Mr Khan, who was 24, had worked since he was a teenager.

Mr Khan died in a multiple road collision on the eastbound carriage of the M4 heading towards Newport in the early hours of Saturday, September 29. Mr Khan was driving a Vauxhall Corsa when he was thrown through the windscreen in a collision.

Avon and Somerset Police say they believe he was then hit by at least two other vehicles which failed to stop. They are continuing to investigate what happened.

Mr Khan's family revealed last week how a mystery soldier tried in vain to save him. They say they would like to meet him and thank him.

Pradip Kotecha, the proprietor of A&P News in the town centre bus station, said: "The fundraising has been going really, really well.

"And people are not just giving small amounts, they are giving notes - just this morning, someone came in with ten pounds for us.

"We want to raise enough to make a lasting tribute to Irfan, something people can always remember him by.

"People read that I was having a collection in the Argus on Tuesday evening, and by Wednesday they were coming in with money."

The funeral of Mr Khan, who lived in Pilton Vale, Malpas, was held on Wednesday at Jammia Mosque on Commercial Road.

He had already received a BSc in biochemistry and physiology from the University of Wales, Cardiff and had almost completed a masters in computer science.

Mr Kotecha said: "He was such a lovely lad, always thinking of his family. We would like to raise enough money to give them something they can have as a permanent memorial to him."

Avon and Somerset police are still keen to trace a G-reg Volvo and a white Saab after the accident.

If you have any information, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.