THE father of a popular youth leader has paid tribute to his son, on what would have been his 27th birthday.

The Tyne Valley was rocked when Dane Curran, who worked with Hexham Youth Initiative, died at the age of just 21 in September 2015.

A keen motorcyclist, the likeable Allendale man died after he was involved in a motor cycle accident on the M11 near Duxford in Cambridgeshire.

It later emerged that Dane had been attempting to emulate a journey to France which his grandfather had made many years earlier.

Sunday, February 28 was a poignant one for Dane's family and friends, for it would have been his 27th birthday.

Dane's father, Dave, said he attended a special place in Allendale, to carry out what has become a family tradition.

He explained: "There's a very special memorial bench at Allendale for Dane, and it's become a tradition to go there and have drink and a bite to eat in his honour.

"Dane hardly ever had a drink, but very occasionally he enjoyed a glass of Jura whisky. He also loved cakes, in particular cherry Bakewells, so we take these along."

More than five years after the tragedy, Dave speaks with immense pride about his son.

"He had no enemies," said Dave, "He was an amiable, sensible sort of lad, so full of fun and mischief. Dane will always be a huge miss. It's a massive hole in my life and the family's life."

Dave said he took a lot of comfort from his son's legacy, for Dane was well liked and respected by the members of the youth initiative, who related to his kind nature, sense of fun, and love of music and photography.

"He could have gone on to become a social worker," said Dave. "Keda at the youth initiative believed he had all the skills."

Dave said he had many fond memories of his son, and cherished visits to Saddle near Buttermere in the Lake District, where a four-year-old Dane came up with a name for the future family dog, and the Welsh terrier went on to be named Roprap.

Originally from Whitley Bay, Dane moved to Allendale at the age of nine. A talented photographer and musician, he attended Allendale Middle School, and Hexham's Queen Elizabeth High School, before moving on to work for Hexham Youth Initiative.

Dane was also a part-time photographer and talented guitarist, playing in a couple of local rock bands.