POLICE have re-issued an appeal for witnesses after a fatal motorbike crash killed a retired officer.

Paul Bland, 59, an ex-officer with Cleveland Police, was killed last Wednesday, August 7, at 11.30am.

The grandfather died after he hit the central reservation on the westbound carriageway of the A66 in Middlesbrough.

In a statement his family, including daughter Kathleen, son Nick, ex-wife Joan and his brothers and sisters, have already paid tribute.

They said: "We are heartbroken at the loss of Paul, who was a doting father and also grandfather to Harry, 17 months.

"He is someone who can't be replaced in our hearts."

Officers would like anyone who may have witnessed the collision, but who has not yet spoken to police, to contact them.

Mr Bland spent his last few years with the force in the criminal justice unit.

Head of the unit, Suzy Vaughan said: "Paul was an excellent officer and he will be greatly missed by his friends and colleagues in the force."

Any witnesses are asked to contact Acting Sergeant Andrew Lawson of the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit on the non-emergency 101 number, quoting reference number 138586.