Tributes have been paid to a bike and motorcycle enthusiast who was killed while marshalling a road race at the weekend.

Colin Stent, 54, from Upper Brighton Road, Surbiton, died while marshalling the South East Road Race League meeting in Kent on Saturday, May 25.

Mr Stent had been working as a National Escort Group (NEG) rider when his bike collided with a car on Hook Green, Lamberhurst, at 10.35am.

This week, neighbour Scott Morrison paid tribute to a “great guy”.

Mr Morrison, 45, said: “He was just basically a great guy. “He enjoyed life, motorbiking and cycling. He did road and mountain biking.

“He was always friendly and always pleased to chat.

“I am just a bit shocked really. We would have a couple of beers together, and we would always chat at the garage together and at barbeques.”

Mr Morrison said he and Mr Stent had been planning to cycle together to Weybridge this coming weekend.

“We were supposed to go cycling this week ironically. I was going to take him down a route that goes down to Weybridge.

"He used to cycle around Richmond Park on his road bike a lot.”

South African-born Mr Stent was living in Surbiton with his partner, who was not available for comment.

Following his death, the three-day cycling event was cancelled out of respect.

British Cycling president Brian Cookson said: “This is a tragedy which will sadden everyone associated with road racing in this country.

“My thoughts and those of everyone at British Cycling are with the friends and family of the NEG rider.”

A spokesman for Kent Police said: “The motorcyclist, a 55-year-old man from Surbiton in Greater London, had been acting as a road marshal for a regional Road Racing League event involving more than 60 cyclists.

“He suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Police are still appealing for witnesses to the event. Call the Serious Collision Unit on 01622 798538 with information.