TWO motorbiking cousins died when they were involved in a collision with an articulated lorry.

Matthew Chesters, 36, and Robert Shaw, 40, both from Runcorn, died at the scene after the head-on crash on the A49 near Cholmondeley Crossroads, Tarporley, on Thursday.

The pair were riding with a friend, who escaped with an ankle injury in the accident, which occurred at around 9.25pm.

It is understood the tragedy occurred just hours after Mr Shaw wished his eldest daughter Leila a happy 15th birthday at a party thrown in her honour.

Close relatives of both men are this week being comforted by police family liaison officers, while the 43-year-old Dutch driver of the lorry was arrested and released on bail pending further enquiries.

A statement issued by the family of Mr Shaw read: 'Robert leaves a loving wife, Chris, and two daughters Ashleigh, 13, and Leila, 15. He was a popular, well-known man.'

Gas fitter Mr Shaw had worked for eight years at Runcorn's Gas Store, where he had many friends and was well-liked by customers. He was a keen biker and supporter of Manchester United.

Mr Chesters lived with his wife in Almond Avenue, Grangeway, and worked locally as a coal man.

Floral tributes, as well as two biker helmets, have been placed at the crash scene alongside debris from the crash, as a poignant reminder of the two cousins who had long shared a love of motorbikes. One mourner left a snapshot of the men smiling for the cameras on a recent family outing.

Jimmy Ainsworth, who worked with Mr Shaw at the Gas Store on High Street, said: 'All the calls we've had since the accident have been from people sad to hear about Robert.

'He was a very popular man, and he was very well-known, both here and in Northwich where he often worked.

'It takes a long time to sink in - if somebody is very ill, then at least you know it might be coming, but you don't expect somebody fit and healthy just to die.

'They are a very close-knit family so it is devastating to lose two cousins like this,' he said.

'It was his daughter's 15th birthday party that afternoon - it seems he went out on the bikes with the lads afterwards and never came back.'

He added Mr Shaw had been planning to take part in a charity walk on Sunday to raise money for Wales' Air Ambulance.

'He was so full of life,' said Mr Ainsworth. 'He was the sort of person you could always have a laugh with. He and his cousin are a big loss.'