A MOTORCYCLIST who died in a Lake District crash has been described as ‘irreplaceable’ by his devastated family and friends.

Grandfather Steven Heaney, 55, was killed when his Honda bike left the road while he travelled as part of a convoy, police said.

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Tributes have poured in for the Clitheroe man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Married Mr Heaney, of St Paul’s Street, in the Low Moor area of the town, was a well-known member of East Lancashire’s biking community.

Cumbria police have appealed for witnesses after the incident, which happened in Graythwaite, near Lake Windermere, at around 6pm on Saturday.

Gareth Bailey, who co-owns B&B Motorcycles in Hollins Grove Street, Darwen, described Mr Heaney as ‘probably our best customer’.

Mr Bailey said: “He came down very frequently either on his bike or in the car when he was passing and something caught his eye.

“He bought one or two bikes off us over the years and traded the odd one back in. He was a really nice guy, and for some time was probably our best customer.

“He has been coming here repeatedly for nine years but I knew him before that when I worked at another bike shop in Darwen. I can’t believe it.

“He was a good guy and a good customer. I know he took a lot of pleasure in restoring the bikes in his spare time as well as riding them.

“He was one of those faces that a lot of people in the bike community would know. We will all miss him.”

John Colbert, who runs Ribble Valley Motorcycles in Whalley Road, Clitheroe, echoed Mr Bailey’s thoughts.

He said: “He was a steady biker, I’m shocked to hear he’s passed away. He was well-known among the local bikers.”

Messages of support also flooded in for Mr Heaney’s wife, Sue, and daughter, Emma Partington, on social media.

Amy Lafranceschina said: “The nicest caring man I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. Everyone at Texaco is thinking of you both,” while Ged Halewood added: “Irreplaceable. The world’s a bit darker now.”

Walter Jackson, who described Mr Heaney as his ‘best mate’, said: “Anyone who never got to meet Steve missed out on a good ‘un. Thanks Steve, I’m already missing you fella.”

Cumbria police said there were no other vehicles involved in Mr Heaney’s death.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Cumbria police on 101 and ask to speak to PC Michael Bolton.