FRIENDS of a man killed in a road smash have paid tribute to his "quiet and caring" nature.

Neil Manby, 30, was killed after a collision between his silver Honda motorcycle and a blue Rover on Wakefield Road, Lepton, just before 6am yesterday.

Neil, who lived with his parents Robert and Christine on Hazel Grove in Flockton, was later pronounced dead at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Jimmy Paxton, who had known Neil since he was a small boy, said it was a tragic loss.

He added: "Neil was a lovely young man from a lovely family. This a tragedy."

Jimmy, who is a Kirkburton parish councillor, described Neil as "quiet".

He said: "He was a thoughtful lad who kept himself to himself.

"He always had a smile when he said hello and was very pleasant.

"It's a terrible shock for the village. He will be missed."

Neil's parents were on holiday in Devon when the tragedy happened and travelled back up.

Both Neil and his father were keen table tennis players.

Robert, an ice cream man, had retired from the game a few years ago but his son continued to play.

Last year Neil won the Order of Merit in the Huddersfield Table Tennis League division two while playing for Newsome Sports College.

Team chairman John Vaughan said Neil was an honest, open young man.

He added: "He played the game in the right spirit.

"Neil was conscientious and a nice person.

"It was only last week I saw him and his father. It is tragic."

Huddersfield Table Tennis League president Howard Birch said he was saddened by Neil's death.

He added: "He was an honest player with a great attitude.

"He never complained and was a gentleman."

The driver of the Rover, a 46-year-old man from Chapeltown in Leeds, was arrested and released on bail.

Inquiries into the accident are ongoing.