BORDON man Neil Barrett, who died after an accident on the A325 last Thursday, has this week been described as 'everyone's friend'.

Mr Barrett (28), of Grasmere Close, was heading towards Bordon when the Honda 1000cc motorbike he was riding was in collision with a Renault Laguna at around 8-45 pm at the Fullers Road junction near Rowledge.

Mr Barrett was taken by ambulance to Frimley Park Hospital suffering from severe internal injuries.

But despite repeated efforts to revive him, he lost his fight for life two hours later.

The driver of the Renault, John Prouse, from Little Green Lane, Farnham, was treated for shock at the scene but was otherwise uninjured.

This week close friend Chris Munro paid tribute to Mr Barrett, who moved to Bordon from Peterborough five years ago and was living with his partner, Vicki, and her son, Kieran.

"If Neil knew you for an hour he would seem like he was your best friend," he said.

"No-one was ever an acquaintance, they were always a friend. He was such a popular guy.

"If you couldn't afford to go out he would always pay for you just to get you to go. He was the one who kept everyone together."

Mr Barrett was best man at Mr Munro's wedding and godfather to his daughter, Rachel.

After a period with the RAF, Mr Barrett moved to IBM before taking a job as a telecommunications engineer with Tellabs Ltd which frequently took him overseas.

He had a keen interest in motorbikes and was a member of the British Motorcyclists Federation. He was also a member of the pool club at the Silver Birch pub in Greatham.

"He always did his best to be there for us," continued Mr Munro, "and even worked for 24 hours on an overseas job so he could return to see Rachel the day after she was born.

"He loved the company of his friends and we all loved to be with him.

"He was a very kind, generous and loving man who always did his best to help out anyone who needed him."

The funeral is being held at St Mark's Church on Tuesday July 6.

Mr Munro added: "We are asking everyone who attends the funeral to bring a red rose to show their respect when Neil is buried at Whitehill Cemetery."

This was the latest in a long-running series of accidents along the A325, which has been branded Hampshire's most dangerous road.

•On Saturday a group of Mr Barrett's friends laid flowers near the spot where the accident happened but by Sunday a cold-hearted thief had stolen them.

Resident's call for action - page 3 of this week's printed edition.