Family and friends last night paid tribute to a motocross rider who died after crashing off a track in front of his girlfriend.

Bricklayer Gareth Bonner, 22, of Little Milton, was killed after losing control of his bike at the WildTracks Offroad Activity Park, in Suffolk.

His mum Wendy said he was a fun-loving daredevil who loved extreme sports but was also a caring and thoughtful son.

Paying tribute to her only child, the 46-year-old said: "He was the life and soul of the party, but he was also sensible, mature and fun.

"He was an amazing boy. He loved life. Whatever he did was fast and furious. My partner used to say to me the umbilical cord had never been broken.

"It was a privilege for me to be able to say he was my son. He really was a very special person. He was never in trouble or broke the law.

"We just want to say just how much we all loved him, how much we all miss him and how our lives are never going to be the same again. He loved motocross so much."

Ms Bonner, who works at BMW in Cowley, said her son had comforted her after her partner Neil Ring died earlier this year.

Terry Gomm, 23, who shared a passion for motocross with the former Wheatley Park School pupil, said: "He was the best friend going.

"He would do anything for anybody. He would always make me go faster or say I could go higher off a jump."

Mr Bonner's girlfriend Rachel Simmonds was at the side of the track when the accident happened about 1.30pm on Saturday.

The 17-year-old, from Great Haseley, said: "He was the one."

Tributes have also been left for Mr Bonner, who rode a 250cc Yamaha bike, on motocross forums and websites.

WildTracks has three sand-based motocross circuits and has hosted the sport for more than 30 years.

Managing director John Gorst said: "Wildtracks Offroad Activity Park is deeply saddened by the death of a young rider on our motocross track.

"The company would like to express its deepest and most sincere condolences to the rider's family and friends.

"We believe our track meets all the current safety requirements but we will, of course, fully co-operate with any health and safety investigation in connection with the cause of this fatal accident."

East Cambridgeshire District Council spokesman Tony Taylorson said: "Our environmental health officers have been conducting a health and safety investigation.

"We have been liaising with the police, coroner and Wildtracks. Our investigations are ongoing."

The Health and Safety Executive is not investigating the incident.

Mr Bonner's family has asked for donations to the Amateur Motor Cycle Association Benevolent Fund in his memory instead of flowers.