A WIMBORNE man killed in a motorcycle accident near Corfe Mullen on Saturday was due to celebrate his engagement to his fiancée later that evening.

Paul Terry, 43, was riding his Yamaha motorcycle along the A31 when a collision occurred with a petrol tanker.

In a heartbreaking tribute, his devastated fiancée Jane Cranham said: "Paul was the life and soul of any party and could light up a room with his smile.

"We were very much in love and we are all devastated by tragedy.

"He was such a wonderful man."

Paul, an installation engineer for Ferndown company Warmer Homes, was known as a motorbike fanatic.

His mum Doreen said: "Paul was loved by all. He lived his dream riding his motorcycle with his fellow bike buddies.

"From the huge number of people who have contacted me since the accident we have been amazed at how many lives Paul had touched.

"He was a very loving son, a brother to Roy and a father to Luke and Kris."

The tragic accident occurred at around 11.30am, just east of the Roundhouse roundabout on the A31.

The 68-year-old driver of the petrol tanker was said to be shaken by the collision, but was not injured.

Police closed the road for more than five hours causing Bank Holiday chaos, with traffic queues trailing back miles in both directions.

Dorset Police's road policing unit is still appealing for witnesses to the collision, or anyone with information, to contact them on 01202 222222.