FAMILY, friends and neighbours have been paying tribute to moped rider Alex Snook who was killed in a collision on the A350 near Warminster at the weekend.

The 20-year-old, from Mere, Warminster, was travelling south towards Shaftesbury when the collision happened on Church Street in Longbridge Deverill at around 4.15pm on Saturday.

Mr Snook, who was travelling on a Yamaha 125cc moped, was in collision with a Transit van heading in the opposite direction and died from his injuries.

Flowers and miniature models of motor bikes have been left at the spot of the incident in tribute to Mr Snook by family and friends.

Glinys Hanekom, a neighbour of Mr Snook, said: “I’m very shocked to hear of his death, it’s so sad.

“They were a very private family but he seemed really nice.

“He was very polite and would always say hello to me if he saw me.”

Another neighbour, Barry Hamsford, who has lived next door to the family for almost three years, said: “He was a very quiet, normal bloke but he loved his bikes.

“I used to say to him ‘go steady on that thing’ and I think he was planning to eventually get a car.

“They’re a nice family and he was a nice lad, but I’m shocked and can’t believe that he’s died.”

Morrisons in Warminster, on Weymouth Street, have also paid tribute to Mr Snook who had worked in the store for almost six months.

Store manager Dave Richards said: “Alex was a very popular member of our team and we’re continuing to offer support to our colleagues in the store.

“Our thoughts go out to his family at this difficult time.”

Motorists were delayed for several hours on Saturday as six officers from Warminster and Trowbridge closed the A350 in both directions while the Serious Collision Investigation Team (SCIT) carried out an investigation.

Police are urgently trying to seek the driver of a blue car which was travelling south towards Shaftesbury when the collision happened.

PC Charlotte Sartin, a member of the SCIT, said: “We know that the moped was following close behind the blue car. Sadly the moped rider lost control and collided with an oncoming van.

“We are extremely keen to hear from anyone who was travelling on the A350 at about 4.15pm and witnessed the collision.

“We need to speak to the driver of the blue car who did not stop at the scene. He or she may well live in Dorset or have been on their way to visit Dorset.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously if preferred.