THE father of a motorcyclist who died in an accident over the weekend has paid an emotional tribute, saying “the world was a poorer place without her”.

Mother-of-one Alison Maughan, 47, from Chilton, County Durham, was involved in the accident on the A68 on Saturday, half-a-mile north of the Harperley Hall roundabout, on the Crook to Tow Law section of road.

She was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of her injuries.

Last night, her father, William Burton, who now lives in the Far East, paid tribute to his eldest daughter, and described Saturday as “the saddest day of my life”.

“Alison was a caring person who loved her family very much,”

said Mr Burton, a retired missionary worker.

“She spent a lot of her life serving the needs of others, and was blessed with a great husband and son, both of whom loved her very much.

“Alison had also been looking after her sick mother, who had recently undergone an operation to beat cancer.

“She will be sadly missed by her sisters, Fiona and Caroline, her brother, Bob, and of course her mother, Joan, and all of her many nephews and nieces.

“She leaves behind a wonderful legacy, and many friends who will miss her greatly.

“The world is a poorer place without someone of Alison’s calibre.”

Mrs Maughan’s husband, Cliff, and the couple’s son, Paul, were being comforted by relatives at the family’s home in Chilton last night, and were too distraught to comment.

It is believed that Mrs Maughan was a member of the North- East branch of the Suzuki Owners’ Club and was on her way to Kelso, in Scotland, at the time of the accident.

Three other vehicles were involved in the collision, which occurred at about 9.45am, but no one else was injured.

The A68 was closed from the Harperley Hall roundabout towards Tow Law for several hours after the accident.

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact police on 0345- 60-60-365.