A VETERAN motorcyclist has been killed in a road accident seven years after his son died at the Isle of Man TT races.

Pensioner Arthur Lofthouse was due to give up motorcycling and was on his last trip before selling his bike.

Today his family said he was a larger than life character who died doing what he loved.

Among those paying tribute to him was Blackburn's former four-times World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty, who knew him well as he was setting out on the road to world championship success.

He said: "He was a really nice, down to earth guy who was well known for his love of riding bikes on the road. I was very shocked to hear this news -- my heart goes out to the family at this terrible time."

Police said Mr Lofthouse, 67, of Hygiene, Clayton-le-Moors, was riding with a friend in Darlington when he lost control of his Suzuki GSX R1000 at 1.30pm on Sunday and hit a stone wall. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

His son Michael Lofthouse died at 28 in May 1996 in a TT practice race. Mr Lofthouse senior said at the time he had lost not only a son but his best friend.

Today Terri Lofthouse, 35, of Pendle View, Altham, -- who was Michael's twin -- said: "My father had a good, fulfilled life and always said if he went he would rather go on a bike than any other way, so although it's terrible news and we are all upset. It was a beautiful warm sunny day and he was doing what he loved.

"To go out in that way would be his perfect way. We are all in shock. For us it's two motorbike deaths in the family. You just get over one then there's another. Dad was devastated when Michael died."

Her brother John, 40, of Read, near Simonstone, said: "The night before he went he said 'I'm going to have a run out on the bike for the last time because I'm selling it.'

"He had decided he had reached the stage in his life when he was going to do a bit more fishing and shooting rather than the bikes.

"My dad was larger than life -- he was a thrill seeker. He went out the way he would have chosen."

Local councillor Tim O'Kane said: "We have lost a well-known local character. It's so sad, and especially traumatic for the family to have two loved ones die in similar circumstances."

Coun Janet Storey, a neighbour, said: "He didn't half live life to the full, he really did. If there was something to do Arthur would do it. He was one of life's old fashioned characters.

"I couldn't believe it when I heard. He was one of those people you would expect to go on forever. He was active all the time."

Funeral arrangements will be announced later in the week.