The wife of a 58-year-old man who was killed when his motorcycle collided with a lorry described him as the "love of my life" during an inquest into his death.

Christopher Jones, from Abergavenny, died on February 22 while commuting to work along the A4042, when his Yamaha motorbike collided with a 7.5 tonne lorry.

An inquest into his death at Newport Coroner¹s Court heard he had a passion for motorcycles and had been riding them for nearly 40 years.

It was during his daily commute from his home in Abergavenny to Cardiff, where he worked as a computer technician, that Mr Jones collided with the lorry, which pulled out on to the southbound dual carriageway ahead of him at its junction with Little Mill.

PC Rhys Reynolds told the inquest that evidence found at the scene showed the lorry driver, David Gundy, would have had a clear view 350 metres along the road before he pulled out because weather conditions were good. He added that the lorry had been travelling at 16mph when it collided with the bike, which had a dipped headlight on.

Eye witness Jodie Saladino told the inquest the bike did not look to be travelling over the speed limit.

The inquest heard the motorbike collided with the lorry¹s passenger door, denting the side of the cabin.

There were no marks on the road to suggest either vehicle had tried to brake before the collision.

Gwent deputy coroner Wendy James said Mr Jones died as a result of multiple injuries and trauma.

His wife, Darlene Jones, told the inquest her husband was 'irreplaceable"

and said they had been looking forward to going to North Wales the next day to meet their daughter¹s new boyfriend.

'He was a fantastic person and I had nearly 40 wonderful years with him,"

she told the inquest. 'He was the love of my life."

David Gundy is facing charges of driving without due care and attention.

The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.