THE family of a man who died after coming off his motorbike has paid tribute to him.

Police were called to the report of a road traffic incident on the A6 at Yealand Redmayne, in Carnforth on Sunday.

The rider, Peter Foster from Wray, was travelling with a group when he came off his Norton Model 18 bike and fell to the ground.

Emergency services, including an air ambulance, also attended but the 67-year-old was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Foster, who was part of the Lancaster, Lune & Wyre, Motor Cycle Club (LLMCC), was described by his family as having a “unique personality”.

Born in Leeds but brought up in various countries in Africa, including being schooled in Kenya where he learned to speak Swahili, Mr Foster returned to the UK aged 15.

After leaving school he settled in Southampton where he started his first job as a map maker with the Ordnance Survey. This was also where he met his first wife and his two sons Richard and Philip were born.

However it wasn’t long before he followed his own father into engineering, working all over the world.

Mr Foster lived for a short while in California, where he worked on the Space Shuttle.

On his return to the UK the engineer also worked on the famous Flying Scotsman.

Known as “Fossie” to his friends and family Mr Foster was much loved and respected in the village of Wray, a place he called home.

He was a talented amateur artist and often sold pictures, giving the proceeds to charity including Blood Bike, Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes.

“His real passion was in classic British motorcycles,” said his family.

“He would regularly organise bike rides and rallies with his friends and was instrumental in founding a monthly meeting called “Bike Night” in Wray.

“Most of all Peter was a larger than life personality, he was devoted to his family and large circle of friends, always the first to lend a hand whenever it was needed and was very much game for a laugh.

“Peter was a much loved husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather and although with us in heart and mind he has left a void and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident should call the police on 101.