The dead bird was found on the road close to where 25-year-old Ben Williams lost control of his car, which ploughed through a fence and down an embankment into a field.

Mr Williams, who was driving from his home in Pwllglas, near Ruthin, to his work with Lever Brothers in Port Sunlight, suffered multiple injuries in the collision near Llanbedr DC on April 25. No other vehicle was involved.

Police collision investigator Sgt Colin Dobbins told the hearing in Denbigh that the road conditions were good and the slight bend where Mr Williams lost control near the entrance to the Vale Country Club could theoretically be taken at 130mph.

He estimated the car's speed at near the top of the 68-83mph range, but told the inquest that it was possible that Mr Williams had hit a pigeon.

The dead bird was found about 276 metres from the tyre marks on the road and had only recently been killed but had not been run over.

"It cannot be proved, but it is a possibility that cannot be ruled out that the car struck the bird," he said.

Sgt Dobbins said that marks on the road showed that Mr Williams' Toyota Avensis had apparently "fishtailed" as he struggled to regain control before smashing broadside into the fence.

First on the scene was HGV driver Luke Taylor from Llanbedr, who was driving towards Ruthin at 5.45am and stopped when he saw debris on the road.

On closer examination he found the car and told police that the collision must have occurred just seconds earlier.

Recording a verdict of accidental death John Gittins, deputy coroner for North Wales Central, said high speed was the key factor, but added: "It is speculation but given the speed he was driving at the impact with the pigeon may have caused a momentary loss of control."

Ben, who lived with his sister in Pwllglas, was born and brought up in Wirral and worked for several years at the Village Hotel in Bebington.

In 2005 he was a finalist in the North West Chef of the Year competition and while working at The Belfry during the Ryder Cup cooked for many celebrities, including Tiger Woods.

After the inquest his sister Linda Williams issued a statement on behalf of the family which said: "The evidence placed before the inquest stated that Ben was travelling at high speed and that there may have been a distraction which caused him to lose control and subsequently crash.

"Ben was a model son, a dream brother and loving uncle, he took pride in his appearance and everything he turned his hand to he did with passion.

"He was in training to run the Plymouth marathon to raise funds for a cancer charity in memory of his mother who died of the disease."

Miss Williams continued: "What we are trying to explain is that Ben was not a tearaway or an angry young man.

"He was a gentle giant who was loved by all who knew him. If there is a person like Ben in your life or in your family then please, we urge you, to talk to him and make sure he is very aware of the danger of driving too fast."

If you knew Ben Williams and would like to write a tribute to him please leave a comment below.