THE double death tragedy in Marsden has left a young mum mourning her fiancé and her dad.

Mick Smith 51, and his future son-in-law Darren Marney, 24, both died instantly when their motorbikes were in an accident with a lorry on Manchester Road near the Motorman's Cafe on Monday teatime.

Mr Smith's daughter, 26-year-old Nicola, was engaged to Darren and the couple lived with their 19-month-old daughter, Taylor, in Sullivan Close at Crosland Moor.

Darren originally comes from Meltham and worked in the family firm as a warehouse supervisor.

His father, Derek, founded commercial lighting company Martech in Thornhill, Dewsbury, just over 10 years ago.

He said: "Nicola has three sisters and a brother and they are being very supportive to her, along with her many friends.

"There has been a constant stream of visitors paying their respects ever since Monday.

"Darren and Mick were very good friends and used to love riding up on to the moors above Marsden.

"They only rode their motorbikes in the summer months, never in winter.

"Darren had totally rebuilt and repainted his bike. We were not happy about him having a motorbike, but at 24 he was his own man."

He added: "Darren was just so full of energy and enjoyed life.

"Anyone who met him took an instant liking to him. He always made time to speak to anyone and had such a likeable personality."

Darren was educated at Norristhorpe Junior School and Spen Valley High before switching to Honley High when the family moved to Meltham in 1996.

In his early teens he was a good swimmer and was a member of Cleckheaton Swimming Club.

In his mid to late teens his interest switched to rugby league and he played for youth teams at Emley Moor, nicknamed McGregors Marauders.

Darren and Nicola used to live in Marsden and had been together for about three years. They became engaged last July.

They were thinking of getting married abroad.

Derek Marney and his wife, Andrea, have two other sons, Craig, 27, and 21-year-old Benjamin, who also work for the family firm.

Martech makes commercial lights for major stores and shopping malls.

Mr Smith, a builder and roofer, is married to Jane and the family home is on Walpole Road in Crosland Moor.

The couple used to run the Rose And Crown pub in Meltham.

"They were always organising events at the pub," said Mr Marney. "Darren and Nicola often helped out behind the bar, but Mick decided to return to the building trade about 18 months ago."

* The funerals of both Darren and Mr Smith with be held at Huddersfield Crematorium next Wednesday at 1pm.