TWO families have been left devastated following the death of a biker known for his cheeky grin and his “bright, lovely” girlfriend.

Matthew David Lee, 21, from Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, and 19-year-old Marie Brown, from Middlesbrough, were killed in a crash on the A1 Western Bypass on Tyneside.

The couple were named by Northumbria police on Sunday evening.

They had been travelling on Mr Lee’s red Triumph motorcycle when it was in collision with a vehicle near Swalwell, Gateshead, at about 8.40pm on Friday.

A 31-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the crash has been bailed by police.

Mr Lee was a member of Teesside Bikers club and had recently completed his apprenticeship as a steel fabricator and welder.

He leaves behind parents David and Susan Lee and brother and sister James and Hannah.

His father David Lee said: “Matthew was a kind, generous and thoughtful boy, who was full of life and enthusiasm.

“He loved his motorcycles and every day when he finished work he would spend his afternoons out on his motorbike.

“He was a loving son and brother and it is hard to describe how much we will miss his cheeky grin and having him with us.”

The family of Miss Brown said it was devastating to lose her when all her life should have been ahead of her.

The 19-year-old leaves parents Peter and Lyn Brown, brothers Steven and Peter and sister Elaine.

Lyn Brown said: "She was a bright, lovely, popular girl and she will be missed by everyone who knew her."

Mr Lee’s motorbike had been travelling south from the direction of Denton Burn when the accident occurred.

Any witness to the accident should dial 101 and ask for Northumbria police, extension 69191.