bikers will converge on Hereford Cathedral to remember a young motorcyclist who died in a road accident on Monday.

The Hereford chapter of the Misfit motorcycle group will carry the coffin of Thomas Hawkins down the Cathedral aisle during the 22-year-old's funeral service at 10.30am next Thursday (July 28).

Mr Hawkins, who lived on Ledbury Road, had been a member of the Misfits for four years.

He died when his red Yamaha XJR 1300 was in collision with a tractor on the A438 near the turn for Marsh Court at 5.20pm.

The emergency services closed the road for five hours.

Mr Hawkins was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the tractor was unhurt.

President of the Hereford Misfits, Graham Marshall, paid tribute to the young motorcyclist.

"He was a good, experienced member who came away on all our trips to places like Derbyshire and Builth Wells," he said.

"Biking was his life but he was only a young lad - 22 years is nothing. It's such a shame."

Mr Hawkins' death is the fourth fatality in the past 18 months on a one-mile stretch of the Hereford to Brecon road near the Garnons Estate.

Just four weeks ago, Phillip Lampkin - a 50 year old from Montrose, Scotland - died outside Oakchurch Farm Shop and Garden Centre in Staunton-on-Wye in a three-car collision.

Police collision investigators want any witnesses to call PC Simon Prater on 08457 444888.