Family and friends have paid tribute to a grandfather-of-five and keen biker killed in a crash, ahead of his funeral tomorrow.

Jeffrey Locke, 58, died along with his partner Lesley Collyer, 55, when the car he was driving hit a tree on a stretch of the A10 between Hoddesdon and Cheshnut shortly after 10pm on July 4. 

Mr Locke, of Salisbury Hall Gardens in Chingford, and Ms Collyer had been out for dinner and were only a two-minute drive from her home when the crash happened. 

They were both pronounced dead at the scene and the circumstances of the crash are still under investigation. 

Mr Locke met Ms Collyer through the Essex Chapter, an independent Harley Davidson riders club. 

He is survived by two daughters, Jemma Curran, 35, and Kerry Lomax, 34, who both live with their mother Chris in the Isle of Wright. 

Ms Lomax described the loss as “heartbreaking” and a “total shock”.  

She said: "It is beyond words. Me and my sister have dealt with loss before but this is beyond any feeling. 

"It feels like our hearts are being ripped out. It is really heartbreaking. 

"The most shocking thing was how he died. If not through illness, bikers expect to go on their bikes. 

"He was a larger-than-life character and lived by his own rules.

"We were his world and even though he could be quite strict, he was very lovable. 

"He was a great father but an even better granddad."

Mr Locke turned his hand to many jobs, including being a milkman and bus driver in Waltham Forest before becoming a BT engineer for over 25 years. 

He retired three years ago, a decade after he bought his first and only Harley Davidson, which was regularly referred to as his 'baby', and travelled the world on.  

More than 150 bikers are expected to line the procession of Mr Locke's coffin tomorrow, which will be attached to a three-wheeled motorcycle and followed by a floral hearse and seven limousines. 

The route will take in Chingford, Woodford Green, South Woodford and Wanstead.

His funeral at the City of London Crematorium has been organised by Mr Locke's friend Gary Clugston, company director of Harold White Funeral Directors in Old Church Road, Chingford. 

He said: "He would have wanted to go out in style. He left a wish list which asked for a big party and big thing around bikes. 

"Tomorrow is all about celebrating his life as he always lived life to the full.”