Members of Teignmouth's Alice Cross Day Centre were this week struggling to come to terms with news of the death in a road accident of one of their most popular supporters..

It was only two weeks ago that club members sat down with 42-year-old Jon Chapman, of Woodway Close, Teignmouth, at a celebratory lunch to mark his finding a new job after some time between positions.

Then Jon's work as a voluntary instructor with the Alice Cross Centre's computer club where he had worked five days a week setting up the facility was marked by a roast beef and crepe suzette luncheon and the presentation of a cheque.

On that occasion he was piped to his car by Piper Bill Millins, of Normandy landings fame, before he left to take up his new appointment with Torbay Borough Council.

Then he promised computer club members he would keep keep contact via the internet he had trained them to use – he had also been helping to prepare a successor to continue his work with the computer club.

On Tuesday, members were left 'completely devastated' by the news of his death in an accident on the A303 when the motor cycle he was driving was in collision with a car near Honiton.

'He was a very kind and popular person who will be very much missed by us all here,' said Alice Cross Centre co-ordinator Denis Hutchins. 'Really to say he will be missed is probably a complete understatement.'

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident which happened when Mr Chapman was in collision with that car at the junction of the A303 and B3170 at Stockgate Close, near Yarcombe.

Officers involved in the inquiry can be contacted on 08705 777444.

A police spokeswoman said on Tuesday that the coroner had been informed but that no further details would be released at that stage until further inquiries had been completed.

Mr Chapman, who was a married man with one child but who was understood to be separated from his wife, lived with his parents in Woodway Close.

Mr Chapman's funeral will be held on Tuesday at noon at Torquay Crematorium.

There will be family flowers only but donations may be made to CAncer Research UK.

Funeral director is Co-op Funeral Service, of Albany Street, Newton Abbot.