A GRIEVING family paid tribute yesterday to young biker, Martin Baker from Warboys, who died on Saturday on the Isle of Man. Martin, aged 20, a former pupil at Ramsey Abbey School, had travelled to the island with his father, Len, and other members of Saw

A GRIEVING family paid tribute yesterday to young biker, Martin Baker from Warboys, who died on Saturday on the Isle of Man.

Martin, aged 20, a former pupil at Ramsey Abbey School, had travelled to the island with his father, Len, and other members of Sawtry Bike Club to watch the TT Races.

He died riding his Suzuki SV650 bike on a road in Laxey, near Douglas, after going sight-seeing.

While the races had been cancelled on Saturday because of rain on the mountains, the road near Laxey where Martin died was bone dry, according to reports.

He is believed to have lost control on a left-hand bend, braked hard, and been thrown into the road and into the path of an oncoming bike.

Martin was the fourth generation of bikers in his family.

Len Baker told The Hunts Post: "I have been riding bikes since I was seven and my father and grandfather rode bikes. I went with Martin on a police training course in London and he was considered by fellow bikers as a very competent biker. Eye-witnesses said that the bikes involved in the accident were not driving at speed, and Martin was driving within his limits.

"I spent my last day on the island trying to find out the reasons this happened. It appears that it was just a simple, tragic accident."

He added: "Martin had been planning and saving for this for a year. We set off from Liverpool, we went to see The Cavern and we caught the overnight ferry on Thursday arriving in the Isle of Man on Friday morning."

Len Baker and his wife, Karen, both 46, said Martin was "an iconic son." Martin had followed his father's footsteps to become a fully trained gas engineer.

"He was never in any trouble" said Mr Baker. "He was so laid back. When he needed to do something he seemed irresponsible and I would say, you have to deal with it, but the next time it came up in conversation, he would say: 'It's done - I've done it' and that's just the way he was. He never got stressed."

His sister, Rachael, 19, said: "He was such a complete joker, but in a gentle way. He was like Chandler in Friends and that was his nickname."

Tributes to Martin have already started to fill his website.

Mr Baker said: "We didn't know he had a MySpace page but so many messages have been left on it."

Next to Martin's picture on his website he had the quote: "It's better to die on your feet, than to live on your knees." He described himself as "probably the biggest Oasis fan you will ever meet" and listed the people he would like to meet as Liam and Noel Gallagher.

His mother, Karen said: "There was never a day go by when there wasn't laughter. He will be missed by so many people. He never hurt a thing in his life."

Mrs Baker said her son's funeral was to be a celebration of his life. "There will be no black ties or suits. We want people to wear bright colours. Martin really wouldn't want anybody to be sad".

INFORMATION: Martin's funeral is still to be arranged. Please contact Anglia Co-operative Funerals in St Peter's Road, Huntingdon, on 01480 458360.