Colleagues have remembered an off-duty policeman who was close to retirement when he was killed last month in a motorcycle accident in Mitcham.

Inspector Preston Gurr, 53, was returning home from night duty to Sutton, when his red Honda motorcycle was involved in a crash with a silver Mercedes C180.

The incident happened shortly before 7.30am on Saturday, April 28, in London Road, Mitcham, at the junction with Crusoe Road.

Inspector Gurr, who worked at Westminster police station and was due to retire next March, came off the Honda and sustained serious injuries.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Former colleague Tim Barnes, said: "I was at West End Central when I first joined the Met and Preston was always an excellent example to others, always helpful and will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of meeting or working with him."

A colleague at his police station in Westminster said: "He was a great guy and will be sorely missed by all of the team and other colleagues at Westminster. He was always going on about his recipes and love of food.

"He was so close to retirement as well and to be taken from us so soon is such a great shame for the police and more importantly his family."

Inspector Gurr's widow, Debbie said: "It is hard to describe the utter loss and devastation we feel over the death of Preston. He was a wonderful father to Aidan and Kym and a great husband and best friend to me.

"We cannot imagine life without him and wish we could turn back the clock so he could be with us still.

"Policing was in his blood as his brother Robert is also with the Metropolitan Police Service, and I know how much he was liked and respected by friends and colleagues. It is hard to accept that someone who stood for so much good in life is no longer here."

The driver of the Mercedes involved in the crash stopped at the scene. He has not been arrested.

Officers from the Road Death Investigation Unit based at Hampton Traffic Garage are still investigating the collision and appeal for any witnesses to come forward. Contact them on 020 8941 9011.

Leave a tribute to Mr Gurr in the space below or email mwatts@london.newsquest.co.uk