NEIGHBOURS of a "kind and loving" man who was killed in a motorbike accident have paid tribute to him.

Graham Hill, 59, died at the scene on Terling Road on Tuesday last week, August 23.

Police had closed the country lane to allow the air ambulance to land.

Neighbours said Mr Hill, who lived in Armond Road in Witham, was a lovely man who always had time for everyone.

Adam Smith said he, his mum Sharon and sister Aimee had been neighbours with him for about 20 years.

Mr Smith, 22, said: "He was just a really kind and loving guy- he did us lots of favours, he used to look after our dog.

"No one had a bad word against him. He lived alone but seemed happy.

"He loved his motorbikes and he liked his shooting, he used to go clay pigeon shooting and used to do a bit of gardening. Motorbiking was his main thing, he would go around the world."

He said Mr Smith had a sister who lives in Cambridge who used to come down and visit him.

He said Mr Hill passed away a couple of days after his birthday, and his sister had been down to see him.

He said: "We heard the evening it happened, my sister was at home and I got a phone call from her as the police came round.

"The police were very helpful and really good, I think they drove all the way to tell his sister.

"Everyone was in shock, we didn't expect anything like that to happen.

"One of his friends said they used to travel the world, and he was only a mile from home.

"He had more friends than he realised he had."

Another resident, who wished not to be named, said he used to say hello to everyone and had strong relationships with his neighbours.

She said: "I used to see him coming back with his shopping, he was a very nice person and it's very sad.

"We used to see him doing the gardening."

Other neighbours called him a pleasant man, and thought it was a huge loss.

A blue Peugeot van and Mr Hill's silver BMW motorcycle collided at about 4.10pm.

Officers are appealing for any witnesses, in particular the occupants of a green car who may have witnessed it or been close by when it happened, to get in touch.

Anyone with information should call Pc Natacha Brown from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk