A grieving widow has paid tribute to the childhood sweetheart killed in a tragic motorbike accident.

Nicola Foale was speaking soon after the biker, killed in a car crash on Laker Road, Rochester last Thursday, was named as Luke Foale, 25.

Luke, from Chatham, was dubbed a likeable rogue by wife Nicola.

She said: "Luke lived life to the full and crammed a lot into his 25 years, living it the way he wanted, defying convention but leaving us with lots of good memories.

"We were childhood sweethearts at school, but lost touch for a few years and, after a chance meeting in a pub seven years ago, never left each other's side."

The pair were married in Sri Lanka two years ago, before honeymooning in the Maldives. They renewed their vows after just one week.

Nicola said: "But that was the way of Luke, a very impulsive and likeable rogue, with a hard exterior but a soft and emotional heart that most people outside of his family and close friends never knew about."

Luke's parents, Jeff and Barb, thanked everyone who helped out Luke after the crash, and "for being there when his parents were not able to".

They said: "It's a cliche, but he was a wonderful son to us, brother to Dan and Helen and husband to Nicola - he really does leave a huge hole in all our lives."

But they urged all bikers to take care on the road, with the words: "If we can save just one biker's life through this tragic and untimely passing, then Luke will not pass in vain."

Luke's parents-in-law, Dawn and Gary Pritchard, said Luke was like a son to them and that they would always love and miss him.

Luke's brother Dan and sister Helen also paid tribute to the man who "lived life the way he wanted".

They added: "He never failed to make us smile with his sarcastic humour - he really was larger than life and he could be described as the typical 'loveable rogue'.

They thanked everyone for their messages for sympathy and support, and also sent their thoughts to the other driver involved in the crash.