Grieving friends and relatives have paid tribute to a teenager who died after crashing a high-powered motorbike.

Jason Harding, 19, of Eastergate, near Fontwell, died after the 1200cc Suzuki Bandit he was riding collided with a car on Sunday. He died at the scene.

Last night dozens of bouquets with messages of condolence had been left by the partly demolished wall where the accident happened on The Street, Walberton, near Chichester.

A friend of Mr Harding, who asked not to be named, said: "He died doing what he loved.

"It's such a shame. It's so sad. Our thoughts and feelings are with his family.

"He was such a lovely lad and he came from such a lovely family.

"He loved his bikes and was always riding them from a young age. It is a tragedy."

Mr Harding's parents, of Ivy Lane, Eastergate, were yesterday too upset to talk to The Argus.

It is understood Mr Harding was travelling towards his home along The Street because a bus had crashed on the route he would normally have taken on Sunday.

Police closed the area around Barnham railway bridge, near Bognor, because a double decker bus became wedged underneath it after its driver misjudged the height, as reported in some editions of yesterday's Argus.

Mr Harding crashed his motorbike at around 2.15pm.

Messages left at the crash scene included those from friends and family.

A message from Mr Harding's brother said: "My little brother, you've brought me so much happiness, joy and even though we had our times, you're the best thing ever, most caring, loving brother.

"I will miss you loads but all the memories I have of you is all I have now."

One read: "Jason, You were such a good friend to me and I will never forget you. Love always from Jodie."

Another said: "Gone but never forgotten, Jo Cardy and Baby Megan."

Friends of the Harding family said Jason was a keen motorcyclist.

Police are still attempting to piece together exact details of how the crash happened. Officers were taking measurements at the scene last night and a full inquest into the death is likely to be held later this year.

A statement released by Sussex Police said: "At 2.15pm on March 18 a motorcyclist was involved in a collision with a motor car at The Street in Walberton. The motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene."

Anyone with information should call Chichester road policing department on 0845 6070999 quoting Operation Lasso.

Pay your tributes to Mr Harding below.