TRIBUTES have been paid to a motorbike fanatic who was killed while riding with friends during an annual biking holiday abroad.

Karl Andrew Sinclair, of Toronto, near Bishop Auckland, was knocked off his motorbike in a head-on collision while travelling in Spain.

His father, Wear Valley District councillor Alan Sinclair, described his son as a 'happy-go-lucky' person who would do a good turn for anybody.

Talking on behalf of himself, his wife Silvana, and daughter Anita, Coun Sinclair, of North Terrace, Willington, Crook, said: "We loved him more than life itself. He was a good lad."

Mr Sinclair, 34, who has his own motor business in Willington, was in Spain on a biking holiday with two friends when the accident happened last Thursday morning.

His parents were informed that afternoon by the partner of one of the men in Spain travelling with their son.

Fighting back the tears Coun Sinclair said: "It was a terrible shock, the family have taken the news badly.

"What we know is that he was riding from Santander to Andorra when he was hit by a car, driven by a British couple."

Mr Sinclair, who lived with partner Tracey Kent and his son Ellis, used to travel abroad on biking holidays every summer.

"He usually went with larger groups of motorcyclists to places like Spain and France. He loved it, it was his passion," said his father.

"His friends are staying out in Spain with him until his body is released, which I have been told by the international funeral director will be at the end of the week."

His family have issued a special message to the people of Willington.

Coun Sinclair said: "We would like to thank them for their kindness and all their thoughtful messages."