A MOTORCYCLIST who died instantly in a smash with a milk truck lived for his love of bikes, his wife revealed today.

Police inquiries are continuing into the crash in which motor cyclist Brian Alliston died just before 7.40am yesterday.

Mr Alliston, 47, of Rostle Top Road, Earby, was riding his Suzuki machine on the A56 between Kelbrook and Foulridge when he was involved in an accident with a red Nissan pick-up milk delivery vehicle driven by Keith Bailey, 37, of Cam Lane, Thornton-in-Craven, near Earby.

Mr Alliston was on his way to work at Furnico Ltd, Colne, where he was an upholsterer.

He had worked for the company for about 12 years and had also worked at Buoyant and G-Plan.

A spokesman for the company said today: "Everyone is absolutely devasted. Most of the lads here had known him on and off for upwards of 20 years. He was an excellent worker and a very popular member of staff.''

His wife Pauline said: "He was a keen motor cyclist. They were his life really.

"He had machines since before I knew him and went every year with friends to the TT races on the Isle of Man. He was a very experienced rider."

Mr Alliston's other main sport was snooker and he regularly played at the Alexandra snooker hall in Nelson centre.

He leaves a daughter Claire and stepson Michael.

East Lancashire Coroner David Smith has been informed and an inquest will be opened in Burnley tomorrow. It will then be adjourned until the police inquiries are completed.

After the accident there was heavy congestion as the road was closed for three and a half hours while police accident investigators carried out inquiries.

The police helicopter was also called from Blackpool to take aerial photographs.

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