THE devastated family of a popular biker who died after a collision with a car have praised his kind and selfless nature.

Keen motorcyclist Ben Woodison, 22, from Ashingdon Road, Rochford, died after a crash in Southend Road, Rochford, close to the Blanchfields Pub, on Sunday night.

His mum, Elaine Ridgwell, 50, said the family was still trying to come to terms with the loss.

She said: "He didn't have an angry bone in his body and if you ever needed him he would be there for you.

"He was just one of the kindest people I've ever known."

Ben, who went to St Teresa's primary school, Rochford, and St Thomas More secondary school, Westcliff, initially did an apprenticeship at Ford but eventually settled into a job as a marshall at Skirmish paintballing in Billericay.

Mrs Ridgwell said: "He was really one of those people who wanted to work somewhere he could enjoy himself. As long as he had a bit of money in his pocket, he was happy."

Ben had a passion for motorbikes and engines and could often be spotted riding mini-motos, racing his remote control car or riding on his motorbike.

Mrs Ridgwell, an account manager, said: "It started off from when he was a baby. It was something that was born into him.

"He would have to take something to bits and repaint it so he could make his mark on things. He always wanted to make it as original as he possibly could."

About a year ago, Ben started up a bike club, Urban Chaos, which had recently taken off, attracting about 30 members.

The club motto is "burn rubber, not your soul", through which he encouraged people to enjoy their riding in a safe way.

Ben's dad, Alan Woodison, 52, from Romford, said: "I spoke to three of his friends, because of what's happened, and they all said that he set a good example on the road and he didn't break the rules."

But Mr Woodison, a biker himself, added: "I work in fleet management and it's just ironic that I spend my time looking after the drivers and motorcyclists for the company and their driving welfare. I just wish I'd looked closer to home."

His brother Andy, 24, said: "All his friends - if they ever had problems with their bikes - would call him first.

"All he wanted to do was live life and if anything frustrated him he would just walk away from it."

Andy added: "I was always trying to get him into a car but he said it was boring and he said he hated being in cars because he couldn't feel the road."

Ben enjoyed listening to rock music, such as the band Creed, and playing on his Playstation.

He lived with his mum, stepdad Trevor and half-sister Louise, 17. He had a stepbrother, Alan Ridgwell, and stepsister, Sallyann Ridgwell, from Trevor's previous relationship.

Ben also leaves dad Alan, stepmother Gwen, and his brother Andy, 24, as well as three stepbrothers and sisters from Gwen's previous relationship, Bradley Downer, Zara Richardson and Emma Holding.

The family is organising a motorbike ride in memory of Ben next Sunday and they have invited all friends, family and fellow bikers to join them.

They will leave his home at 192 Ashingdon Road, Rochford, at 6pm. The ride will include passing the crash scene at 6.45pm, when Ben died.