He was the whole world to me

Rob Lee, 24, was also looking forward to becoming a father, said his pregnant wife, Julie, also 24.

Rob died on Wednesday when his Honda 600cc collided head-on with a Volvo car on the A19, near Riccall.

Today his devastated family paid tribute to "a wonderful husband and son" who lived life to the full.

The couple were married in February at a romantic beach ceremony, in Cuba, and had recently moved to a new home, in York Road, Barlby, near Selby.

Julie said today: "He was the whole world to me and I don't know what I am going to do without him. He was an all-round wonderful person and was ecstatic when he discovered he was going to be a dad.

"Knowing that I will always have part of Rob left in our child is a great comfort to me and Rob's parents."

Rob's parents, Tom and Penny Lee, both 55, live in Southlands Road, York.

Mr Lee, a postman, said: "They were a very loving couple and thought the world of each other.

"You couldn't have wished for a better son."

Rob, a fabrication welder, was a former Cub Scout and Venture Scout with St Chad's Greys, York.

He bought the second-hand motorbike two months ago and was on his way to B&Q, in York, for a tin of varnish when the tragedy happened.

After joining York Acorn RL Club as a junior, he moved to Hull Sharks. He then signed for York Wasps, in December 1999, before returning to the amateur game with his old club, York Acorn.

He gave up the game for a while, but returned to Acorn a few weeks ago and played in a pre-season friendly last Saturday.

Acorn assistant coach Paul Lumby said today: "We were all very excited when Rob came back to us this year. All his team-mates are devastated."

Rob's brother, Andrew, 22, plays centre for Acorn and his sister, Dawn, 30, used to play for York Ladies RL Club.

His mother, Penny, who works for Defra, in York, is a former Guide leader at Southlands Methodist Church.

The funeral will be held at 11.30am on Thursday at York Crematorium.

Updated: 10:28 Saturday, August 02, 2003