HEARTFELT tribute has been paid following the shock death of a motorbike-loving dad.

Stone merchant David Emmott died, aged 60, at his Haworth home.

An inquest into his death has been opened and adjourned.

"He was my best friend – we did so much together," said his elder son, George.

"This was so sudden and a terrible shock."

Mr Emmott had a lifelong passion for motorbikes.

He competed in trials riding, raced at the Cadwell Park track in Lincolnshire and had taken part in speedway.

And he was a long-time member and treasurer of the Yorkshire Classic Motorcycle Club.

"Dad loved his bikes from a young age," said George, 29.

"Apparently when he got his first motorbike as a kid he pulled other children up the street in a trailer!

"He had done trials competition for a good few years and travelled all over the place.

"He went to the Isle of Man every year for the Manx International classic trial and competed up in Scotland."

His love of motorcycling was inherited by George and younger son Tom, 26, who has returned from his home in New Zealand following his dad's death.

Before the funeral tomorrow, April 20, a special tribute ride is being staged from Branshaw Quarry – where Mr Emmott had his stone business – around Haworth, taking in all his favourite places.

"Dad was born locally and lived in Haworth all his life," said George, who works for the family business.

"The funeral will be a celebration of his life and of how lucky we have been to have him.

"He would turn his hand to anything.

"He loved dancing, enjoyed travelling and was very adventurous – mountain biking, white water rafting. He certainly lived life to the full.

"But dad was also an unassuming guy.

"A lot of people went to him for help and advice – he would help anyone.

"He had a big heart and never said a bad word about anyone.

"And he always had a smile on his face."

Both George and Tom took part in a Yorkshire Classic Motorcycle Club trial at Litton at the weekend on an emotional day – with Tom riding his dad's Triumph Twin.

A minute's silence was held before the start.

"Litton was one of Dave's favourite venues and one where he usually acted as a clerk of course," said a spokesman for the club, whose members will be out in force for today's tribute ride and funeral service.

Mr Emmott attended the former Hartington School and then Greenhead, now University Academy Keighley.

He worked at Gillson's Quarry before setting-up on his own.

Mr Emmott leaves a wife, Christine, and George and Tom.

The funeral service is at Haworth Parish Church at 10.30am. People are asked to wear smart, casual, colourful clothes.