TRAGIC biker Jon Glover was due to act as a mentor to one of his best friend's young children this weekend, it emerged today.

Friends David and Claire Pollitt had asked the motorcyclist, who was killed when his motorcycle collided with a van in Nelson, to be mentor to their son Finn, aged one.

The baby naming ceremony was due to be held in Stockport but has now been cancelled as a mark of respect.

And another friend has vowed to sell his bike after hearing about the accident.

Jon, 27, of Bolton Road West, in Ramsbottom, was riding his Suzuki 750cc on Halifax Road at about 12.43pm on Saturday when the accident happened.

Jon, who grew up in Burnley but had recently moved to live with his girlfriend Joanne in Ramsbottom, crashed into a stationary three-and-a-half ton van while trying to pass a car coming down the road.

David, 27, who is married to Joanne's sister Claire, 26, and lives in Stockport, said: "We will all miss Jon but I can promise him we will look after Joanne.

"We really wanted Jon to be Finn's mentor. He had made a video and done some music to go with it, he really put his heart and soul into the occasion, but tragically that won't happen."

Howard Heyhirst, 32, of Brunshaw Road, Burnley, known to Jon as 'Howsy', has inscribed Jon's initials onto the back of his bike as a tribute. He said: "I have known Jon for more than 10 years but recently we became really good friends. We went to Hampshire last weekend together for the British Superbike race. We had a fantastic time. On the day of the accident Jon was coming to meet me, he hadn't seen the pictures that we'd taken while we were at the races.

"I was waiting in the Craven Heifer in Harle Syke when the police said that there had been an accident. I was hoping and praying that it wasn't Jon. Nobody had a bad word to say about Jon. "He had no malice or prejudice against anyone. He was one of the lads and we have all lost a true friend." Lee Washington, 32, of Grassington Drive, Burnley, a friend of Jon's, has vowed to sell his bike after hearing about the accident.

He said: "To know that Jon was such a competent rider it brings home the danger involved in riding. It could have happened to any of us which is why I am selling my bike, not only for personal safety but for the peace of mind for my wife Linda and my three young children. "Jon was a smashing guy. He was the joker of the pack, never taking life too seriously who was liked by everyone he met."

Jayne and Eddie Jenkins, of Ethersall Road, Nelson, also paid tribute to Jon. Jayne said: "Our son Wayne was one of Jon's best friends, they have had so many good times together. Jon was always a lovely lad right from being a youngster. He will be so sadly missed."

Police today stepped up their appeal for the Asian woman who was driving the car which passed Jon, believed to be a red saloon, possibly a Honda Accord, Hyundai or Nissan Micra, to come forward.