THE family of a 21-year-old killed in a road crash in Essex at the weekend have paid tribute to the “bright, talented and caring young man”.

Steven Pitcher, from Colchester, died following a collision between his motorbike and a Mazda car in Bures Road, West Bergholt on Sunday.

Motorbike enthusiast Steven went to Thomas Lord Audley School in Colchester where he achieved 12 GCSEs and went on to Sixth Form College.

He was a technical apprentice for Flakt Woods in Colchester and was completing his first two years of training. He was also due to sit A-levels in May, which were independent of his apprenticeship.

His mother Kathryn Pitcher said: “Our family has lost such a bright, talented, caring young man. Our lives will never be the same. He was my only child; my life is totally upside down. He was my strength, my purpose, my reason for being. This is so hard to take that he is not here.”

She added: “I cannot begin to describe how much our hearts are aching at this tragic loss of life of our special young man. I am so proud to have been his Mum.”

A statement from the family said his long-term girlfriend Louise was heartbroken.

Steven was a keen angler and was a member of Woods Angling Club. He was due to receive 11 individual and three shared trophies this May at the Annual General Meeting.

He also regularly played rugby for Mersea Rugby Club, played darts for local teams, as well as going to the gym in Colchester four times a week.

His family said Steven lived his life to the full. He had a large group of friends who knew him as Steve Field.

He was very close to his family and would always be there to help when asked. He leaves behind his grandparents, mother, Uncle Martyn, Tina, Uncle Nick, Auntie Karen, Keith, and his four younger cousins.

The family said messages on Facebook have been a great source of comfort to his family.

- A 40-year-old woman from Dagenham driving the Mazda was arrested by police, but later released on bail until July 12 while inquiries continue.