TRIBUTES have been paid to a 'caring family man' who died in a head-on motorbike crash at the weekend.

Nick Cowell died instantly when his Honda bike collided with another motorcycle on a popular route in the Yorkshire Dales on Sunday.

The 33-year-old Halifax man riding the other bike also died at the scene on the B6255 between Hawes to Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

The 40-year-old father-of-three, of Higher Road, Longridge, leaves wife of 17 years Kath, 13-year-old twin girls, Lauren and Rebecca and a nine-year-old daughter, Ellie.

Nick used to play for the Longridge Brass Band and coached youngsters including his own daughters at the Clitheroe Dolphin Swimming Club.

He was also a member of the PTFA at Longridge Primary School in Berry Lane and was a staunch member of the church community.

The former pupil at Grimsargh Primary School and Longridge High School ran his own business, Cowell Electrical.

Nick, who came from a farming family in Grimsargh, worked for various Lancashire firms including the Lancashire Telegraph as a freelance electrician and project manager.

His brother Anthony said the family were devastated by the tragedy.

He said: “His family always came first and he had a passion for motorcycling which he had done for the past 23 years.

“He was a great man and he also did much charitable work in the area and he will be missed by us all.

"We are a strong family and we will use our Christian faith to get us through this difficult time.

“The most important thing now is to look after the children and his wife.”

The Rev David Anderson, a friend of Mr Cowell and his vicar at St Lawrence with St Paul’s Church, Longridge, said: “The news of Nick’s tragic death has shocked the whole community.

"People of all ages have shed tears this week.

“Nick was a very much-loved member of the town, supporting the community in many ways and an active supporter of our local schools and church.

“Most people simply loved Nick, however, for the wonderful, kind and generous person that he was.

“At the heart of his life was his family, and especially his wife Kath and his three children, to whom he was totally devoted.

"They loved simply spending time together and all our thoughts and prayers go out to them at this awful time.

“His funeral will take place next week and Nick will be laid to rest in the beautiful churchyard of St Lawrence’s in Longridge.

“From Sunday there will be a book of condolence available in St Paul’s Church for people to offer their sympathy.”

Fred Little, the secretary of Longridge Band, said Mr Cowell was one of a team that helped set up the new sound system at the church with him.

He said: “This has been such a shock to everyone who knew him.

"Every time I go to the sound desk I will have a memory of Nick.”

Mark Caulfield, regional facilities manager at Newsquest Northwest, which owns the Lancashire Telegraph, said: “He was a genuine, happy and funny guy, always looking forward to the next project.

“Our thoughts are with his family and close friends at this very upsetting time and he will be sadly missed by all that knew him at Newsquest Northwest.”

Friend and former Longridge mayor, Rupert Swarbrick, said: “He was just an all-round good egg and a really decent man.

"It is a real loss for his family and for the whole community.”

He also leaves parents Philip and Nellie and brothers Anthony and Michael.

If you would like to pay tribute to Nick or offer condolences to his family, please add your comments below.