A FATHER who died after suffering serious head injuries in a crash has been described as 'wonderful' by his partner.

Marcin Jurek, from Nelson, was riding a Honda motorbike on North Valley Road, in Colne, towards the M65 at around 5.30am on Saturday when he lost control, police said.

The 39-year-old, originally from Poland, crashed into a traffic light close to the Sainsbury's petrol station.

He was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital suffering serious head injuries but later died.

In a public Facebook post, Dagmara Mikutowska wrote in Polish and English about Mr Jurek.

In the post, she said: "Yesterday in the morning hours in a motor bike accident we lost a wonderful man, a great father of my eight-year-old son and my very close friend, Marcin Jurek.

"I have no words to describe our deep sadness.

"We love you and you'll be always alive in our hearts."

Several people took to social media to pay their respects to Mr Jurek.

On Facebook, Robert Taylor said: "I worked with Marcin and he was a great man who will be dearly missed by me and all his colleagues.

"RIP, my thoughts go out to all his family."

The road was closed for more than three hours while accident investigators attended the scene.

Sgt Andy Walton said: "Mr Jurek was riding his motorcycle on North Valley Road, Colne, when he was involved in a collision with a traffic light close to a pedestrian crossing.

"Despite the best efforts of paramedics and medical staff at Royal Blackburn Hospital, Mr Jurek sadly died from his injuries.

"Our thoughts are with Mr Jurek, his family and friends at this tragic time.

"Mr Jurek, a Polish national, is survived by relatives in Poland and plans are in place for specially trained officers to support his family, who will be travelling to Lancashire in the next few days.

"I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision, or was travelling along North Valley Road at that time and may have information or dash cam footage that will assist the investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101 and quote log reference 313 of July 29.