A WINDOW cleaner who was well-known for his community work and love of sport has been killed after his motorbike crashed into a stone wall.

Father-of-two Roger Hargreaves, 54, a member of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers athletics club and who lived in Brunswick Street, Nelson, was out riding with friends when the incident occured on Sunday afternoon.

Police said he lost control of his motorbike on the A683 at Sedburgh, in Cumbria, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: "The motorcycle left the road and collided with a stone wall and a hedge. No other vehicle was involved."

Mr Hargreaves leaves behind his wife, Sandra, daughter Joanne, 23 and son James, 18, as well as three brothers Pat, Stephen and Michael.

James said: "He was well respected in the community and knew a lot of people. He was a fantastic dad and used to take me all over on the bike.

"He was also a Scout leader with me at 7th Nelson Scouts and he was great at that. It's amazing how many things he used to be involved in.

"He loved his bikes. He's done it all his life and has never not ridden some kind of bike. He was a much loved father."

Mr Hargreaves' daughter Joanne said: "He did so much for others. We know we can sit here and be proud of him. He was really into his motorbiking and was very fit. He also organised charity fell races and had been running for the last 20 years.

"He always took his dog on his rounds with him and a lot of people may know him because of that. He used to be a swimming coach at Wavelengths and did life saving tuition at Pendle Leisure Centre."

Mr Hargreaves was a member of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers and a veteran champion.

He attended Edge End High School before working for a men's outfitters. He started window cleaning for Fred Wilcox in Pendle before going self-employed about 30 years ago.

He was also on the PTA for Fisher-More High School and a member of St John Southworth Church, in Nelson.

His friend Bob Stoney, who had been out with him on the day he died, said: "He was one of my best friends and he will be missed. He lived for his bikes and we recently went to Northern Ireland on them.

"He rang me up on Sunday morning and said the sun's out are we going out. He was full of enthusiasm and it all ended so sadly."

Funeral details have still to be arranged, but Mr Hargreaves' family said any donations would be split between a couple of charities.

An inquest into his death was due to be opened and adjourned at Kendal Coroner's Court today.