TRIBUTES have been paid to a 49-year-old father of two and keen sportsman who died in a motorcycle accident.

Andrew Tate, from Maidstone, was killed when his yellow Triumph Daytona motorcycle was in collision with a grey Audi A3 on the A26 at Teston, on Thursday, January 6.

In a statement his family said he was a loving husband and father and added: "Andrew will be missed immensely by all who knew him."

Mr Tate had more than 30 years' experience as a motorcyclist and was said to have "lived life to the full".

He was a keen tri-athlete and marathon runner, and was also a member of the Maidstone Harriers running club. He recently completed the San Francisco Escape From Alcatraz triathalon.

Mr Tate enjoyed angling and was a committee member of the Linton Angling Society. He also belonged to the Mote Park Sailing Club, and rode the London to Brighton cycle route many times, raising money for the British Heart Foundation.

Mr Tate leaves a widow, Denise, their children Ben and Sam, parents Jack and Vera and brothers Kevin and Ian and sister Christine.

Mark Chapman, match secretary of the Linton Angling Society, said Mr Tate had taken a very active part in the club’s committee.

He said: “We are quite shocked. Andrew was cheerful all the time and chirpy. He was a very good member of the committee. He did the treasurer’s job. He will be sadly missed.”

David Hattersley, chairman of the Maidstone Harriers, said: “He was a long-standing member of the club and was involved in many of our activities.

“Just recently, in the Maidstone half-marathon, we gave him the honour of leading the runners round on his motorcycle. He had run the London Marathon on previous occasions and he was a very experienced runner. We are all terribly shocked and trying to come to terms with it.

“I remember him for his banter. We used to rib one another on the runs. He used to say to me: “I’m going to be catching you, David!”

“We will always remember him running the Seven Sisters Marathon with his dog. He was a very friendly character."

The funeral was held at St John the Baptist Church, Wateringbury, on Wednesday.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Maidstone and Malling Police on 01622 608189.