TRIBUTES were paid last night to a motorcycle enthusiast who was killed while riding with friends during an annual biking holiday abroad.

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

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

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

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

His parents were informed that afternoon by the partner of one of the friends.

Fighting back 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 was a loving father to son Ellis, used to travel abroad on biking holidays every summer.

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

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

His family have issued a message to the people of Willington. Coun Sinclair said: "We would like to thank them for their kindness and all their thoughtful messages."