A MOTORCYCLIST has died in the second fatal bike crash near Trowbridge within eight days.

Paul Downes, 28, of Studley Rise was killed on Saturday after his Honda bike was in collision with a silver Renault Megane on the West Ashton Road just after 10am.

This week his family have spoken of a gentle, loving man who lived life to the full.

His brother Ian Hawkins said: "As a brother and a friend he was perfect. He loved his family and his nieces and nephews and there wasn't a thing he wouldn't have done for anyone. He was one of the kindest, most loving blokes I have ever known and we are all going to miss him very much."

Mr Downes moved with his family from Wales to Melksham as a young child and went to Lowbourne Junior School and then to George Ward School.

He loved animals and went on to study animal care at Wiltshire College Lackham, and dreamed of working either as a vet or for the RSPCA. Later on he took a job working for United Milk in Westbury, then went into security work, including working at Peter Gabriel's Real World recording studios in Box.

His younger brother Craig Rees said: "He loved working over in Box. He did quite a bit of work over there and met Peter Gabriel several times."

Mr Hawkins said: "He loved his security work and went all over the place. Last time I saw him he was excited about working for his doorman's badge."

A regular at the Chicago Rock Caf in Park Road, Trowbridge, the young man had a wide circle of friends and a range of daredevil hobbies including gliding and caving. His main love was always motorcycles and he had been riding since he was old enough to get on a bike.

Mr Downes was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident and police closed the road for three hours while their investigations continued.

His pillion passenger, a 17-year-old local man, was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath for treatment, while the driver of the car was unhurt.

The accident came just a week after the death on November 10 of young father Paul Richer on the A350 at nearby Stoney Gutter.

Mr Downes leaves his mother Sandie, his two brothers, sister Jeanie, three stepbrothers and 11 nieces and nephews. The funeral is being held on Thursday at 11am at Semington Crematorium. The service is being arranged by Arthur Mays Funeral Directors in Westbury.