THE neighbour of a motorbike enthusiast who died after being involved in an accident while watching a race has said "he was the loveliest guy I ever met."

Sheila Thomas, of Tomkinson Drive, Kidderminster, spoke following the death of Dean Jacob, who lived on the same street, after the fatal collision during the Manx TT on Friday.

The security system installer was confirmed dead at the scene, near the 26th milestone on the famous Isle of Man course.

Ms Thomas said: "It is the biggest shock to this street.

"I believe he had two children and she has one. I really do feel sorry for the children because they were such a devoted couple."

She said Mr Jacob had fitted alarms during a refurbishment at Waterloo Housing Association's Kidderminster offices, where she works.

She said: "To lose somebody at the age of 33 is absolutely devastating for everybody. You expect it if somebody is old or if they have an illness, but not when they are fit and healthy, as he was.

"I feel sorry for the families of the other two men who were killed, but when it is so close to home it is even more terrible."

She believed that Mr Jacob had travelled to the Isle of Man to watch the racing with his parents.

Mr Jacob was a keen racer and last year won a place with leading motorcycle race team Roger Stuart Racing, finishing second and fourth in his first meeting at Mallory Park in Leicestershire.

He was sponsored by Kidderminster's Sutton Arms pub.

Pub manager Mick Ledson said: "He was a good friend of the landlord, Darren Jagoda, and he sponsored Dean.

"He was one of the locals. He was a nice chap and the landlord has a picture of him on the wall now because the two of them were good friends."

Motorbike racer Marc Ramsbotham, from Norfolk, also died at the scene in Friday's crash, while another spectator, Gregory Kenzig, from Queensland, Australia, was later confirmed dead at the island's Noble Hospital.

Two marshals were also injured in the crash during the senior event in the TT's centenary year.

Investigations into the circumstances are at an early stage. Sgt Phil Shimmin, of Isle of Man Constabulary, said: "The inquest will be held over here and the coroner has been informed of the full circumstances and at some stage in the near future he will designate a time when the inquest will be opened."