Floral tributes have been left at the scene of a crash in which a 46-year-old motorcyclist died.

The biker, who has been named locally as Mobi King, owned Kingswood Tattoo Studio in Rainham High Street. Flowers have also been placed outside the shop, which he had run since 2010.

He was killed when his Yamaha motorbike was involved in a collision with a silver Toyota Corolla in Berengrave Lane, Rainham, yesterday morning.

People living in the street have described how his bike caught alight and they desperately tried to help by running out with hosepipes to put out the flames.

Janet Galton said: "The flames were as high as the telephone cables.

"We ran out with a hosepipe but he was already gone. I want to tell his family that he didn't suffer. He wasn't moving or saying anything."

A card left at the scene read: "Always here, never forgotten. Taken so cruelly. You will be missed so much."

Dozens of tributes have been left on Mobi's Facebook page.

Wendy Ruddle wrote: "I am so shocked and sad to hear that my great boss and lovely friend Mobi was killed yesterday. My heart goes out to Tasja his wife, their beautiful boys and all his family and friends. Mobi was a one in a million guy."

Ben Griffiths wrote: "Such a terrible loss of a good man, I will never forget your kind words."

Police have appealed for witnesses to the crash which happened just after 9am.

Two fire engines were on the scene along with several police cars and the South East Coast Ambulance Service.

The road was shut between the junction with Lower Rainham Road and Chalky Bank Road.

Police are particularly keen to trace a pedal cyclist wearing a fluorescent top and the driver of a dark-coloured estate car, both of whom passed the motorcyclist in the opposite direction seconds before the crash.

It is thought both of these people may have information that could help officers.

• Anyone who witnessed the incident and has not spoken to Kent Police is asked to contact the Serious Collision Unit on01622 798538.