A 49-year-old motorcyclist killed on a motorway may have fallen asleep before his bike struck the central reservation throwing him into the path of an oncoming car.

Warehouseman Robert Andrews, of Manor Pound Lane, East Brabourne, near Ashford, was a member of Ashford-based motorcycle club the Oakmen, where he was known as Father Ted.

He was riding in convoy with friends on the M20 near Lenham, after attending a motorcycle rally in Cambridge last April.

Mr Andrews, who was single, died from head injuries. At the inquest at Maidstone, Victor Hagger, who was riding in front of Mr Andrews, said he saw the grey Suzuki move from the slow lane towards the central reservation.

"He drifted out and hit the barrier which he went over and into the lane on the other side," he said. "I think he fell asleep because he had not slept the night before."

PC Martin Ostler said the speed the bike was going was about 65mph.

Verdict: accidental death.