A CARPENTER who had recently emigrated to England to provide a better life for his family in South Africa has been killed in a collision with a car.

Paul Capetanakis, 28, of High Road, Loughton, has been remembered as a “kind, hardworking, honest person”.

He had been riding home down Loughton High Road when the crash happened between the junctions of Manor Road, and Avenue Gate.

Paul's father Costas Capetanakis described his son as “A generous man, kind, hardworking, honest and a person that for 28 years brought joy and laughter to the people that he was involved with.

He added: “He was a brilliantly talented man in so many ways, he was an extremely skilled carpenter and joinery manager.

“He came to the UK from SA in order to improve the lives of his family back home and live his life to the full with the woman he loved, and who loved him.

“He had brought his mother, sister and me over here for a month. He was on his way home after working late in order to get money the next day to take us to the country for our last weekend here.

“We now are all heartbroken, we do not smile much any more, we laugh even less and being human, sometimes our thoughts turn dark.”

Paul's brother, Spiros Capetanakis, said: “Paul was a great brother and best friend. Generous beyond words. Always there whenever we needed the smallest thing. I believe he lived his life to the full. He never had time to look back and say should've done it differently.”

Many people have sent in tributes to Paul both from friends in this country and South Africa where his family lived in his hometown of Knyssa.

Tamzin van Staden, from South Africa said: “My deepest condolences to you all for your very sad and sudden loss . It came as a great shock to all of us and we will all miss Paul very much.”

Irene Byron, from Johannesburg said: “We were sadly shocked to hear of Paul Capetanakis' untimely death being friends of Paul's family for over 30 years now. We can only imagine the pain this very close knit family is going through.”

A 24-year-old man, from Woodford Green, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released on police bail until September 23.

Anyone with information on the collision, which occured around 10.35pm last Thursday, July 23, is asked to call Chigwell Road Policing Unit on 0300 333 4444.

-Tributes to Paul can be left in the comments box below