'He was loving and helpful': Tributes to biker killed in Shropshire crash

Wayne Shaw paid tribute to his brother-in-law, Stewart Hollyoake following his tragic death in a motorbike crash.

Biking fanatic Mr Hollyoake, 52, was killed in a crash last week, leaving behind both a blood family and a biking family.

Mr Shaw, 50, said engineer Mr Hollyoake had fallen in love with motorbikes late in life, having only gained his licence in his 40s.

But his love of being out on the road took over from all his other hobbies.

Mr Hollyoake died in a crash on the B4368 between Shipton and Weston in Shropshire on July 31 at 4.50pm.

Mr Shaw, of Tilston Drive, Brierley Hill, is married to Mr Hollyoake's sister Joanne.

"He was loving, helpful - the type of bloke who would always be there for you if you were in trouble."

"Stewart loved all of his family and his kids," he said. "He was stubborn in his own way – he lived life how he wanted to live it and was a proud man.

"And he went out doing what he enjoyed. He looked after his mum and was always there for her.

"But he was also a really funny guy as well, he had a wicked sense of humour."

Mr Shaw, Mr Hollyoake and a group of their pals regularly went out riding together on weekends. They also enjoyed a number of trips abroad - and were dubbed 'The Wild Hogs' by Mrs Shaw.

"The love of bikes brought us together," he said. "I loved Stewart as a brother-in-law but he was also a close friend.

"We've been on six overseas trips with the same gang of fellas. Stewart had his own family but a biking family as well.

"My wife used to say 'The Wild Hogs' are off out again.

"Before he got into bikes he was really into scuba diving and used to do that with his wife Dawn around the world.

"But motorbikes took over from everything else.

"Andorra was his favourite place. It's amazing scenery and the roads are great.

"As a biker you love long, twisty roads and there's nowhere better for that."

Mr Hollyoake was born and raised on the Brickhouse Estate in Rowley Regis - where his mother still lives.

His family home was in Weavers Rise, Netherton.

Mr Hollyoake's son John, 26, followed in his dad's footsteps as an engineer, while Mr Hollyoake's wife Dawn is an assistant manager at a jewellery shop.

He left behind his Dawn, mother Sheila-Anne, John and future daughter-in-law Tracie Pooler.