Tributes paid to smash biker, 38

Tributes have been paid to a 38-year-old motorcyclist who was killed in a crash near Market Drayton.

The rider, named locally as father-of-three Richard Feather, of Riverside Drive, Tern Hill, died when his Honda motorcycle collided with a Kia Cee'd car on the A41 at Rosehill, Tern Hill, on Sunday, at about 4.20pm.

Neighbours of Mr Feather said he had three young children and described him as a motorbike fan and part of a "lovely family".

Kristina Blundell, a neighbour, said he had been a good friend to her eight-year-old son Harry.

She added: "There's not enough words to say what a wonderful person he was. He helped me with lots of things; the car, and lots of things I needed doing around the house."

She said: "I thought the world of him. My little boy says he's like his best friend.

"It's going to be terrible for his children, they will miss him desperately."

Another neighbour, who declined to be named, said: "He was nice, he always chatted to me."

Another neighbour said: "He loved his motorbikes, he was always tinkering at the garage. They were a lovely family."

Floral tributes have been left at the scene of the crash.

One from Mr Feather's wife said: "To the most wonderful husband in the world. The most devoted father I have ever known. We will miss you always, I will love you forever. Always in my/our thoughts, Tasha."

Rachael and Kirsty wrote: "Hope the roads are good in heaven and I'll see you there one day. Keep on biking."

Police have appealed for information about the crash and asked any witnesses to contact them on 0300 333 3000.

Councillors are now calling for action to be taken on the road, which they describe as "dangerous."

Councillor Peter Waters, Stoke on Tern Parish Council chairman, pledged to raise his concerns at a council meeting.

"It's awful, it's very sad," he said.

"Over a number of years there's been some fatalities. That particular site is a very dangerous crossroads, and coming out of the side of the road you are coming uphill, so it's hard to see.

"It's a very dangerous stretch of road and it's a bad place to pull out."