THE family of a Suffolk father, who died after his motorcycle collided with a car on the A12, have today paid tribute to him.

THE family of a Suffolk father, who died after his motorcycle collided with a car on the A12, have today paid tribute to him.

Michael Townsend, 37, from Carlton Colville, died after the accident at Benacre on Friday July 17.

His family describe Michael, who worked as a signalman at Liverpool Street Station, as “popular” and “a hard worker”.

In a joint statement they wrote: “Michael was a real character who had the ability to transform any situation into one of humour and laughter which made him popular with all that knew him.

“He worked for the railways in its various forms since leaving school and finished as signalman at Liverpool Street station where he was going at the time of his unfortunate accident.

“He was a hard worker and took pride in his job and was respected by his colleagues throughout the eastern region.

“He was generally a happy and active lad getting up to some hair-raising tricks with his sister and other lads in the road.

“As a teenager he gave the usual rebelliousness and developed a taste for heavy music and was also a quite talented guitar player himself but did not take it any further.

“In the last years he continued his love for the likes of Metallica, The Levellers and Fightstar, He also loved to take his daughter Becky to gigs as she has similar tastes in music. Some of his other loves were his motorbike and also a keen interest in football including Ipswich and Lowestoft Town.”

A humanist ceremony will be held for Michael at Gorleston Crematorium on Monday August 3 at 2pm and all friends and colleagues are invited to attend. This will be followed by a celebration of his life at the Norman Warrior in Lowestoft.

Michael leaves behind daughter Becky, father Len and sister Michelle Townsend.