TRIBUTES have been paid to a motorcyclist who died following a crash with a lorry on the A12 at Colchester.

The victim has been identified locally as Liam Holding, 24, who was involved in the collision at around 9am on Thursday.

Since his death, Mr Holding’s friends and loved ones have been paying tribute to him via a Facebook page.

Friends have said Mr Holding, who came from Pitsea near Basildon, “knew how to brighten anyone’s day” and would be “missed by so many people”.

One tribute said: “We went to college together and always got along.

“You may be gone but your laughter and memories live on.

It added: “When we saw you a few weeks ago it was such a laugh, you are always smiling.”

Liam’s Facebook page has been left active to “help his loved ones remember and celebrate his life”.

Essex Police were called to the fatal collision, which took place on the southbound carriageway near to Jobserve Community Stadium.

An ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, two ambulance officer vehicles and the MAGPAS Air Ambulance were also called in to attend the incident.

But despite the efforts of the emergency services, Mr Holding, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The London-bound carriageway was closed for more than six hours whilst investigations took place and the northbound carriageway had to be closed briefly to allow the air ambulance to land nearby.

Police have appealed for drivers to come forward with any dash cam footage from around the time of the accident which may help further their investigations.

Anyone with information or dash cam footage is asked to call 101 and ask for the Serious Collision Investigation Unit or to email any footage to collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.

The incident number to quote is 226 of 27/09.