Trevor GibbsLOVED ones of the father-of-two killed in a motorbike accident say he was a popular man who lived his life to the full.

Speaking to the Adver they described the former doorman Trevor Gibbs, 51, as the life and soul of the party who could always make you laugh.

His partner of 10 years Rachael Gittins, 38, who is currently staying with family because she is not ready to return to their home in Monkton Close, Park South, said: "He was my life. I'm absolutely heartbroken.

"Everybody knew Trevor, he was so active. He was always doing something. He always had a smile for everybody and he was always full of laughter.

"He was 6ft 1in and 19st but he was a gentle giant. He was a gentleman.

"It's absolutely devastating. He was so close to getting home but he didn't get home."

John Jackson, 52, of Purton, was Mr Gibbs's best friend after the pair met 30 years ago through playing rugby.

He said: "All my memories of Trevor are of having fun and laughing, he was such a funny bloke.

"We met when we were on opposite teams in rugby. He played for Wootton Bassett and I played for Swindon.

"We would punch the hell out of each other on the field and then be drinking in the bar afterwards, we were the best of friends since then.

"He is going to be terribly missed. He and his girlfriend had just set up a home together.

"He crammed so much into his life, he just got so much in. He lived life to the full."

Mr Gibbs, who had two sons in their twenties, played front row prop for Swindon Rugby Club as well as Wootton Bassett and at one stage he helped out training the Swindon youngsters on Saturday mornings.

Clive Daniel, 61, of Okus, knew Mr Gibbs for more than 20 years through rugby.

He said: "Trevor worked on the doors of pubs and clubs in town but he was not your caricature doorman, he was more a gentle giant. We went on a stag trip to Prague recently and he was the life and soul of the party.

"He was a wonderful man to have on your rugby team, he was a proper old fashioned rugby player.

"People have taken the news very badly, it's a big shock to a lot of

people."

Mr Gibbs, who also previously worked as a forklift truck-driving instructor, had retired from being a doorman and was working as a JCB driver before his death.

Simon Staley, the owner of Studio nightclub, who worked with Mr Gibbs for 15 years at Harding's nightclub and then at Mission, said: "He was an excellent guy and I imagine there will be hundreds, if not a thousand people at his funeral because everyone knew him.

"It's a great lose because he was an excellent doorman and an excellent person.

"He was well loved, I've had people from France and other countries get in touch with me because of this.

"There's going to be people coming from all over the world for his funeral."

Mr Gibbs died after an accident on Sunday night at the Whitehouse Bridge, by the junction of Station Road and Corporation Street.

Police are still trying to find out how the crash between the Kawasaki ZX 12R and a Mitsubishi Warrior happened.

Anyone with information should call Swindon police on 01793 528111.

Gareth Bethell