Firefighters have paid tribute to a colleague who died while cycling near a Dales beauty spot.

Father-of-two Paul Midgley, 39, was killed instantly after losing control of his racing bike while descending a steep hill near Bolton Abbey.

A keen cyclist, Mr Midgley, who was riding with his brother-in-law when the tragedy happened on Friday, had been stationed at Cleckheaton for a year.

He was wearing a helmet but died of severe head injuries.

Cleckheaton Station Commander Brian Hughes said: "The accident has really upset his colleagues. I've not known a reaction like this for a long time.

"He was a very likeable character and it's hit us hard and also his former colleagues in Elland."

Commander Hughes said firefighter Midgley had joined the brigade in 1990 and cycled to the station from his home in Mirfield each day.

"He always was properly kitted up and wore a helmet," he said.

"One comfort for his wife can be that he was doing what he loved doing when he died."

Mr Midgley had driven to Embsay where he had set off with his brother-in-law towards Bolton Abbey.

He had descended a steep hill when he was found lying in the road.

His wife Karen Midgley, 40, an occupational therapist, said her husband was a keen outdoorsman.

She said: "He was a man who absolutely loved life, he was into everything about the outdoors.

"He enjoyed getting off to the country and we did a lot of walking together.

"He was an exceptional father figure to our children, that's the hardest thing to come to terms with."

Born in Birstall, Mr Midgley regularly raised money for charity.

Eighteen months ago he completed a coast-to-coast ride from Morecambe to Scarborough. He leaves two children Tom, ten, and Ruby, six.

No date has yet been set for his funeral.

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