A HEARTBROKEN family has paid a moving tribute to a “wonderful husband and father” who was killed when his motorcycle was in collision with a van.

Father-of-four Andrew Potter, aged 39, was returning home from work last Friday (November 21) when he was involved in the fatal crash on Warrington Road, Bold Heath.

This week his devastated wife Mandy, who lives in Grange Park, led the tributes to Andrew, who was a devoted dad to Christopher (16), Amy (12), Eva (five) and four-year-old Daniel.

The 35-year-old told the St Helens Star: “In the nine years we were together he has left me with a lifetime of memories. Many people can go through their whole lives and never have the love that Andrew and I had.

“I will never stop loving him and will miss him every second of every day. His kids were his life and his two boys are the living image of him.

“Before leaving for work on the day he died he gave me a squeeze and a kiss. His last words on the phone to me that afternoon were ‘I love you.’ I thought we would grow old together but that was not to be.”

Mandy, an assistant at Rainhill Library, added: “He was a happy person, a real joker who had such an outgoing nature and knew so many people. He loved anything adventurous, like his bikes and motocross.

“Only the weekend before he died we had been on a helicopter ride in Preston, which he had booked for me as a present. I’m devastated but I will be strong for the children and I would like to thank people for their many kind words of support."

Andrew worked as a conveyancer with Warrington firm Holbrook and Co. News of the tragedy has shocked friends and colleagues within the local property sector.

Peter Holbrook, (56) who was Andrew’s business partner, added: “Andrew joined the firm six years ago. He qualified in August last year and became a partner in our firm in April this year.

“He had his whole career ahead of him and it has been cruelly snatched away. We’ve been inundated with calls from colleagues. Andrew was universally liked and one of those very cheerful and popular guys.”

A police investigation is continuing into the collision. Merseyside Police say Andrew’s motorcycle and a green van were travelling in the same direction at the time of the incident that happened at 4.40pm on Friday (November 21) near to Warrington Road’s junction with Sandy Lane.

Witnesses can contact 0151 7775771 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.