FAMILY, friends and colleagues have been paying tribute to a young motorcyclist who will be remembered as a smiling and generous teenager.

Hundreds of messages of tribute have poured in following the death of 18-year James Fennings in a motorcycle accident at the British Motrycle Racing Club championships at Lydden, near Dover, on Sunday, April 3.

James, of Conyerd Road, Borough Green, was taking part in in a Rookie 400 event when the tragedy happened.

His mother, Carol Buss, described her son as a popular young man. “On the internet alone there have been hundreds and hundreds of messages of condolence,” she said. “He was a strong and sensitive person who was very generous.”

James’ stepfather, Dave Buss, with whom the teenager worked as a gardener, said: “He was a really happy kid who loved music and would start singing the minute he got out of bed in the morning.”

James’ interest in racing was fuelled by the renewed relationship with his father and motorcycle enthusiast, Gordon Fennings whom he had only really come to know during the last two years.

“His dad hadn’t really been in his life,” said Mrs Buss. “But James wanted to get to know him and over the last two years he really became his hero. They became like brothers.”

She said James was in his first racing season - having taken part in several track days at Brands Hatch.

“He was doing really well fighting his way through to sixth position when he fell,” she said. “All he wanted was to win a trophy and I was, and still am very proud of him.”

James grew up in Seal and Borough Green and was known as “The Rock” on the football pitch where his physical presence made him a formidable central defender.

Tanya Kelvie, who taught James at Wrotham School, Wrotham, said she had been inundated with calls from pupils in shock.

“He was a really lovely lad who had many friends,” she added. “I feel very privileged to have influenced his life in some way.”

James’s funeral takes place on Friday, April 15, at 9.30am at Vinters Park Crematorium, Maidstone. The hearse will be accompanied by a motorcycle escort.