NEIGHBOURS today paid tribute to a motorbike fan who was tragically killed as he travelled to Wales on a day trip.

Residents in Melbourne Street, Waterfoot, told how Malcolm Dixon, 52, set up home in Rossendale to start a new life.

A Manchester-based traffic warden, Mr Dixon was killed when his Honda motorbike collided with an Audi car on the A494 between Bala and Dolgellau, North Wales, on Sunday.

Police in the area have launched a safety initiative after it was revealed Mr Dixon was the latest in a number of deaths on the notorious stretch of road.

Neighbours said Mr Dixon moved to Rossendale after splitting up with his wife and leaving the family home in Sale.

He had two daughters and a son who also live in the Greater Manchester area.

Brian Chapman, 69, said he had only lived in the area for nine months but made an impact the moment he moved in.

He said: "Malcolm was a lovely chap everybody knew him on here just for being a nice person. I had a stroke five weeks ago and he was the one to contact my son. I will always remember that.

"When I heard the news I couldn't believe it because he was such a sensible person, I can't imagine that he would have been doing anything that he shouldn't.

"He used to drive to work in the morning in his van and didn't seem to go out on his bike that much."

Mary Lister, who let the police into Malcolm's home said: "I saw him going off that morning on his bike so when the police came I told them he had gone out which was then they broke the news to me.

"I had to give them the spare key so they could find a contact for his next of kin. It's all very sad. I can't believe it has happened. He was such a nice man, I used to pop in to his house for a chat sometimes and I will miss that. His death is a tragic loss for all who knew him and he will be sadly missed."

Police continue to investigate the causes of the accident.