A Bradford solicitor and her husband have been killed in a motorcycle crash – only a week after they celebrated their second wedding anniversary.

Helen Slater and her husband Dean, a builder, died after they were thrown from their motorcycle when it was in a collision with a car at the eastbound slip road of the A64 near Tadcaster.

Mrs Slater, 37, worked for Alistair Bateman and Co solicitors’ firm, based in Westgate, Bradford. She was part of the mental health department and represented clients at Bradford Crown and Magistrates’ courts.

The couple are understood to have lived in Cottingley, Bingley.

Alistair Bateman, senior partner at the firm, said she had been a friend.

“She was an animal lover, she had a number of dogs and a horse,” he said. “She was married for two years last week. Her husband was a builder, a nice chap. She was a caring girl. She was a hard-working and thorough friend and esteemed colleague. She was loyal and a good friend, we are all devastated.”

A minute’s silence was observed in Mrs Slater’s memory at magistrates’ courts in Bradford and Bingley ahead of the day’s proceedings yesterday.

North Yorkshire Police said she had been riding pillion on a black Yamaha R1 ridden by her husband which was in an accident with a green Vauxhall Vectra at about 7.30pm on Wednesday.

Police believe they had been riding in a group of six or more bikes from Boston Spa towards Tadcaster on the A659.

Mr and Mrs Slater were pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.

Police are asking any witnesses to the collision, or anyone who saw the motorcycle or the car before the accident, to call them on (0845) 6060247, quoting reference NYP-25082010-0491.