A HEARTBROKEN dad has paid tribute to his “wonderful” and “inspirational” son who died in a horror motorbike crash aged just 28.

Avid bodybuilder Bobby Munroe, who served in the armed forces in Afghanistan, collided with a lorry on the A127, at the junction with Hobleythick Lane, Prittlewell, a week ago.

The dad-of-one was a pupil at Eastwood School, which is now the Eastwood Academy, before attending Anglia Ruskin University, in Chelmsford, in pursuit of his dream of becoming a structural engineer.

His proud father Paul Munroe, 67, said: “He changed my life in many ways.

“When he was young, he got a job at a chip shop and he taught me that whenever I share a piece of fish, to never eat the end where the head is – it has too many bones. I’ve lived by that.

“Bobby has touched so many people. He was wonderful and a true inspiration.”

Bobby, who lived in Southend, was a well-known face in the Combat Academy, in Grainger Road.

A keen artist, he even decorated the gym wall with a giant mural.

Mr Munroe, who now lives in London, added: “He was so talented.

“He went to university with no qualifications, and it wasn’t long before he had caught up with everyone else.

“Everything he put his mind to he would do to the fullest.

“When he joined the army I said ‘why join now? There’s a war in Afghanistan.’ Bobby said he just wanted to opportunity to help people.”

Bobby went on to become an experienced motorcyclist - much to his dad’s concern.

Just days after the tragic incident, which took place at about 8.45am last Friday, heartfelt tributes flooded in.

One anonymous note, left at the crash scene, particularly touched Mr Munroe’s heart.

It reads: “We did not know each other but we are brothers bonded by bikes. You can now ride the best bikes on the best roads in the best weather. One day we’ll ride together so keep the tarmac warm.”

Mr Munroe is now trying to find out who left the note and wants to thank them for their kind wishes in person.

Bobby leaves behind fiancee Lauren and 18-month-old son Ethan.

A 35-year-old, from Shoebury, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs. He has been bailed until April 15.