A friend of the motorcyclist who died after a collision in Banstead on Monday has described him as someone who enjoyed life and had "a passion for motorbikes".

The biker, named locally as Brian Flannery from Park Lane, Wallington, was killed in the A217 Brighton Road, near the start of the "Mad Mile", after his motorbike was in collision with a lamppost and silver Nissan Almera at about 3.35pm.

He was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel, east London, where he later died from his injuries.

Today his friend Gary Traisneau paid tribute to the 26-year-old, who worked in mechanics.

"I'll remember him as someone who always had a happy face, who had a passion for motorbikes and enjoyed life," said the 27-year-old from Wallington, who went to St Mary's primary school in Carshalton and John Fisher secondary school in Purley with Brian.

"He was a lively chap and got own with his own thing. He was carefree and was there for everyone.

"He was always a gentleman. He was a 100 per cent nice fella and everyone had time for him."

Gary said his friend came from a close and loving Irish family. He said the rider's parents, sister, brother and cousins were grieving their loss.

He said he visited the site of the accident last night with some mutual friends. "It was a big relief to go there," he explained. "There was a lot of emotion all round and I think going there has made what's happened easier to deal with."

Surrey Police is urging anyone who witnessed the incident or events leading up to it to contact its Collision Investigation Unit on 01483 639922.