A CLOSE-KNIT community paid tribute yesterday to a friend who died in a road accident near Woodbridge.Peter Chapman, 48, sustained ''massive head injuries'' when he was in an accident on his Suzuki motorcycle.

By Richard Smith

A CLOSE-KNIT community paid tribute yesterday to a friend who died in a road accident near Woodbridge.

Peter Chapman, 48, sustained ''massive head injuries'' when he was in an accident on his Suzuki motorcycle.

The accident happened on the C343 Hollesley Road on March 31. Mr Chapman was taken to Ipswich Hospital and then transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, after he lost control of his motorcycle and hit a tree.

Mr Chapman, who lived on a travellers' site in Bromeswell at the edge of the Woodbridge Airfield, died from his injuries on April 16.

Travellers living at the unofficial camp were in mourning yesterday. Mr Chapman lived on his own in a double decker bus a few yards from the perimeter fence running round the former American air base.

He was known as ''Rabbit'' due to his habit of speaking a great deal and he was remembered fondly by travellers for his love of cooking and the large meals that he served up for his friends.

One of his close friends, Steve, who originally comes from Leiston, said Mr Chapman would be sorely missed and his friends would be looking after his dog.

Steve said: ''Peter had a heart of gold and you could not wish for a better person than him.

''He was a good cook and nobody went hungry when Peter was around and he even cooked stews for his dog.''

Steve added: ''Everybody knows Rabbit - he was known all over the country - and he originally came from Leicester. He had been living up here for about two years.

''He was a really nice guy and nobody would have a bad word to say about him.''

Another traveller said: ''Pete was always the sensible one out of us and he was always there for us.

''It was a beautiful Spring day when he decided to go out on his bike. He wasn't going anywhere in particular but he had got the bike up and running and wanted to go out.''

Suffolk police is appealing for anyone who saw the motorbike before the collision, or the accident taking place, to call Pc Mel Savage at the police headquarters policing unit on 01473 613500.