A GRIEVING family have paid an emotional tribute to a father of two who was killed in a motorbike accident.

Craig Anthony Bagnall, 33, of Park Wall Road, Gwersyllt, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, after his Suzuki GSKR 988cc motorbike was involved in a collision with a Jaguar car.

The accident occurred on the junction of the A483 and the B5069 at Sweeney, near Oswestry, at approximately 3.45pm on Saturday, June 18. The driver and a passenger in the Jaguar were treated for shock.

Craig's family have told of the selfless, fun-loving man, who was 'the backbone' of their family.

He was a taxi driver who worked forWrexham firmApollo,andwas just beginning to build his own business with contract driving for local schools.

Craig leaves behind his partner of 16 years, mother of his two children Clare Davies. Their daughter Carla, 11, attends Gwersyllt CP School and son Ryan, eight, is a pupil at Ysgol Plas Coch.

Grieving Clare said: 'He was an excellent person in every way. He was always joking, he had a real sense of humour and was always playing practical jokes.

'Craig was an excellent father, he was soft with the kids, anything they wanted - they had it. They are devastated.'

Craig's father Tony spoke of a son who frequently carried out DIY jobs for friends and family, free of charge.

He said: 'Nothing was ever too much trouble - I don't know where he found the time, that's the sort of person he was.

'He was just going for a spin on his bike. He loved travelling around North Wales and would go out when he could - but he was sensible, he was a fine weather rider.'

Craig's mother Lorraine, of Maes-y-Coed, Gwersyllt, was on holiday in Spain at the time of the crash and flew back as soon as she heard the tragic news.

She talked tearfully about her son: 'He put his own things on hold, and did everything for everyone else. He was a gentle giant.

He was my backbone. As a child he was very responsible; his father and I divorced when he was young and he took on the role of man of the house.'

Added his brother Christopher, 21: 'He was like a father as well as a brother to me.'

Craig was well-known and liked among the taxi drivers of Wrexham.

Debbie Belton, office manager at Apollo Taxis, said: 'Craig will be very sadly missed, a few of his many good friends work for the company. He was always happy-go-lucky, and he was a hard worker.'

The coroner for Mid and North West Shrop-shire, Mr John Ellery, carried out the postmortem examination.

* Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident to contact them on 08457 444 888.