THE son of a Rossendale man killed when his motorbike was in collision with a car today paid tribute to "the best dad in the world".

Shane Butler was speaking at the family home in Cobden Lane, Bacup, after his father, John, was killed in the accident on Sunday.

The father-of-four and grandfather of 11 was killed on the A6068 Colne to Keighley road when his Yamaha bike was in collision with a Renault Megane waiting to turn into Moss End Lane, near Cowling.

Motorbike enthusiast Mr Butler, 54, who used to work as a housing officer for Rossendale Council, was out riding with four friends when the accident happened.

One of them, Phil Hoyle, was taken to Airedale Hospital with serious but non-threatening leg injuries.

Today he was in a comfortable condition.

Mr Butler, 34, said his dad was well known by everybody and people would come round for help with their bikes.

He said: "He was a motorbike man and if anybody had any problems with their bike they would come round for help.

"There wasn't anything he didn't know about."

Mr Butler was married to Carol for 36 years and had a daughter, Tracey, 35, and three sons, Shane, Anthony, 31, and Derek who was known as Bez, and died nearly five years ago.

He also had a brother Joe and sister Heather.

The family are going to bury Mr Butler next to his son at Facit Cemetery in Whitworth.

Mr Butler said his dad had been due to help grandson Robert fix his motorbike yesterday. He said all Mr Butler's sons have had bikes but his dad was much more than a bike man.

He said: "He was the best dad in the world but he was not just a motorbike person, he knew everything about everything.

"He had no spare time as his happiness came from helping other people.

"He wasn't a run of the mill person, he had a heart of gold and he will be missed by everybody."