TRIBUTES have been paid to a Plymouth biker who died after colliding with a parked car in torrential rain.

The 45-year-old, who has been named locally as Bere Alston man Colin Smith, was killed when his Kawasaki bike hit a BMW in Stoke in the early hours of Sunday.

Friends of the motorcycle enthusiast today paid tribute to a "big softie" who, despite struggling throughout his life, would always find time to help those in need.

In a touching tribute on The Herald's website, friends Barry and Tracy, from Yelverton, said: "He was a true friend to us.

"He loved his bike. Always ready for a laugh and would do anything to help a friend out.

"He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Once met never forgotten."

Mr Smith suffered what police described as 'horrendous injuries' when his red Kawasaki z550 bike hit the car – which was left with hardly a scratch – in Paradise Road at around 4.30am.

The accident happened on a straight stretch of the road opposite the City College Plymouth campus.

Residents from the nearby Lawson House bail hostel tried in vain to revive him before paramedics arrived. He was taken to Derriford Hospital but did not survive.

Officers at the scene, who had to shut the route for around seven hours, described the weather as "atrocious" and said there was a lot of surface water on the road at the time.

The same stretch had been flooded just a week prior to the accident in a separate bout of heavy rain.

Police, who are still trying to trace next of kin, are appealing for any witnesses to contact them on 08452 777444, quoting log number 248 of December 6.