A motorcyclist who died in a collision in Shropshire was named by police today as Andrew John Mason, from Wolverhampton.

Mr Mason, 46, of Fordhouses, died when his green Kawasaki motorcycle crashed into a blue Honda CR-V on the A442 at Quatford, near Bridgnorth, on Sunday.

The keen motorcyclist, who was known by his friends as Maico, died at the scene of the crash at 4.45pm.

The occupants of the car were left uninjured but badly shaken. Mr Mason’s family today paid tribute to him as being a man with a “heart of gold”.

His devoted partner of 20 years Pamela Ferguson was riding her bike with him when he died.

She said: “We had been to Wales for the day with 20 of our friends and had just left Quatford. I had set out in front of him and when I noticed he wasn’t behind me, I thought he was just chatting to someone.

“I didn’t think anything more of it. I got home and made him some sandwiches. I thought it was weird he hadn’t come back and the next thing I knew the police were here.

“I couldn’t believe he had been in an accident. We are all devastated.”

Miss Ferguson, a 42-year-old sales manager, met Mr Mason 20 years ago and said they both had a keen interest in motorbikes.

She said: “He’d been into bikes since he was a kid just like me. He had so many friends who are going to miss his funny sense of humour.”

Miss Ferguson added her late partner was “gentle”, “loving” and would “do anything for anyone”.

Mr Mason, a self-employed kitchen and bathroom fitter, was originally from Bloxwich and attended TP Riley Community School in Walsall.

A post mortem examination was carried out yesterday and an inquest is expected to be opened later in the week.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the crash to contact 0300 333 3000.

Mr Mason’s funeral is being held at Bushbury Crematorium on October 16 at noon.

By Lisa Rowley