TRIBUTES have been paid to tragic motorcyclist Bernard Ryder, who died following a collision with a van on the A35 at Holmsley on Saturday.

Mr Ryder, 50, from Southampton, was riding his red Honda CBR 900 motorcycle towards Lyndhurst at 4.17pm when he came off the bike before colliding with a white Mercedes Vito vehicle travelling in the opposite direction.

He died at the scene.

In a statement his family said: “Bernie was one of those rare people who touched the hearts of everyone who he came into contact with.

“Easy going, kind and unassuming, he was also a talented musician and passionate about motorbikes.

“He will be missed hugely by everyone who knew him.”

Police officers are appealing for witnesses to the collision or anyone who saw Mr Ryder just prior to it, to contact them on telephone number 101, quoting Operation Larch.

We have left comments open so people can pay tribute to Bernard. Please can we ask you not to speculate about the crash otherwise this facility will be switched off.