TOUCHING tributes have been paid to a Carlton Colville man who died as he made his way to work.Michael Townsend was riding his motorcycle along the A12 on Friday, July 17 and was on his way to work in London when he collided with a car.

TOUCHING tributes have been paid to a Carlton Colville man who died as he made his way to work.

Michael Townsend was riding his motorcycle along the A12 on Friday, July 17 and was on his way to work in London when he collided with a car.

He later died at the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston - and today, Michael's family have paid tribute to him.

'Michael was a real character who had the ability to transform any situation into one of humour and laughter which made him popular with all that knew him,' the family said.

'He worked for the Railways in its various forms since leaving school and finished as a Signalman at Liverpool Street Station where he was going at the time of his unfortunate accident.

'He was a hard worker and took pride in his job and was respected by his colleagues throughout the eastern region.'

Described as 'a typical boy' the family recalled how Michael was 'always climbing trees' and of course 'meeting with the usual accidents.'

'He was good at flying but his landings could have done with improving, on one occasion he was called in for his tea and he said he was stuck up this tree so I took his tea up to him,' his father Len Townsend said.

'He was generally a happy and active lad getting up to some hair-raising tricks with his sister and other lads in the road.

'As a teenager he gave the usual rebelliousness and developed a taste for heavy music and was also a quite talented guitar player himself but did not take it any further,' the family added.

'In the last years he continued his love for the likes of Metallica, The Levellers and Fightstar, He also loved to take his daughter Becky to gigs as she has similar tastes in music.

'Some of his other loves were his motorbike and also a keen interest in football including Ipswich and Lowestoft Town.'

A Humanist ceremony will be held for Michael at Gorleston Crematorium next Monday, August 3 at 2pm and all friends and colleagues are invited to attend. This will be followed by a Celebration of his life at the Norman Warrior pub in Lowestoft.

'Michael's family - daughter Becky, father Len and sister Michelle Townsend plus the immediate family members would like to thank so many people for their support at this tragic time, in particular the staff, management and friends at the Norman Warrior and his friends and colleagues at Network Rail.,' they said.