THE WIFE of a biker killed in a tragic accident on the A127 has paid tribute to him.

Christopher Simpson, 43, of Seaview Drive, Great Wakering, died after his red Suzuki motorcycle and a white lorry struck each other on the eastbound carriageway near the Mayflower Retail Park shortly after 6.30am on Tuesday, December 4.

His wife, Vicki Simpson, said: ""He was the life and soul of our house; always happy, always with a cheeky grin on his face and always charming everyone he met. He loved life."

Mr Simpson leaves behind his 11-year-old daughter Stephanie, his wife’s nine-year-old daughter Chloe and her three grown-up children, Ricky, Andy and Gary.

Mrs Simpson added: "Our family has been ripped to shreds by losing Chris in such a cruel and tragic way. His journey to work in Harlow was something he had done everyday for nearly a year, and he would always phone me to let me know he had got there safely. On Tuesday morning I never got my phone call."

Anyone who can help police with their investigation into the crash contact Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email them at collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk