TRIBUTES have been paid to a 27-year-old motorcyclist from Kent, Colin Dodd, who was killed riding his favourite bike – a Kawasaki ZX10.

His boss and good friend Steve Durham was riding just a few feet behind him and saw the tragedy unfold.

Mr Durham, also 27, said his friend took a left hand bend incorrectly on Lydd Road at Camber, Sussex, and swung into the path of an oncoming people carrier.

Mr Durham said: “He made a mistake and he knew it. I got to him within seconds and he was dead. There was nothing anyone could do."

Mr Dodd lived with his partner of 11 years, Liz, and their three-year-old daughter, Jasmine, in Brookfield Road, South Ashford. He was the workshop manager at Powerhouse Motorycycles on the Cobbs Wood industrial estate at Ashford. The accident happened last Sunday morning.

Mr Dodd's best friend Mark Maxted, also 27, said: "Colin got into mopeds when he was 16 and I had one first. He never stopped riding. He could ride any motorbike and ride it well. He was a good, safe rider. He knew bikes inside out.

“He always had a big, stupid grin on his face and everyone will remember that forever,” he added. "He was the quiet one - a fun-loving guy. We are all in shock."

Mr Doddd's parents Paul and Lynn, of Hillbrow Road in South Ashford, are also keen bikers.

They are expected to ride their bikes to their son’s funeral service next Friday.

Kent County Council are looking closely at calls to improve the condition of the road at Jury’s Gap and will be considering erecting new safety signs.

Council Highways spokesman Lisa Whitbread said: “We are looking into the details of the incident with a view to taking any action which is deemed necessary.”

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S KENTISH EXPRESS