TRIBUTES have been paid to a tragic Wordsley father-to-be who died after a motorcycle crash.

Ashley Silvester, of New Street, lost his fight for life at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 9 after suffering serious head, pelvis and leg injuries in a collision with a silver BMW four days earlier in the street in which he lived.

To compound the tragedy - the 20-year-old former Ridgewood High School student had only recently found out he was due to become a dad, the News has learned.

His heartbroken girlfriend of three years, Olivia Taylor, said on behalf of stunned relatives: “We are all devastated at the sudden loss of our grandson, son, brother, boyfriend and daddy to be.

"He was so looking forward to the birth of his child. He was so excited.

"Ashley was loved by so many that if love could have saved him he would still be with us today. He will be greatly missed and his smile never forgotten.”

Colleagues at Furmanac in Kingswinford where Ashley had worked for 12 months, making mattresses, were also rocked by the shock news of his death.

Sarah Firkin, operations manager at the bed manufacturing firm, said: "Everyone here is absolutely devastated about what has happened and very shocked. He was a fantastic guy and very popular. He will be truly missed here."

To help show their support and raise money for Olivia, aged 20, and the baby which is due in December - friends have organised a pub to pub walk/ride which is set to take place this Saturday (July 19), starting at noon from the Britannia in Wollaston.

Everyone taking part is asked to wear pink - Ashley's favourite colour.

Meanwhile - an inquest into Ashley's death was opened and adjourned at Smethwick Coroners Court last Friday (July 11), pending police inquiries.

And investigating officers continue to appeal for witnesses to the crash which happened at around 7.20pm on Saturday July 5 at the junction of New Street and Manor Road.

Sergeant Neil Higgins, from West Midlands Police’s collision investigation unit, said: “A young man has tragically lost his life and we are trying to understand how that happened to give some answers to his family."

The driver of the BMW was voluntarily interviewed by police at the scene of the crash.

Anyone who witnessed the collision but has not yet spoken to officers should call Sgt Higgins on 101.