THE death of a popular father of two has stunned the community where he lived. And there is now to be an investigation into the accident which killed motorcyclist Jeff Drake, 33.

Mr Drake, from Bulwark Avenue, Chepstow, died on Sunday afternoon when his Kawasaki bike was involved in the accident with a BMW car.

The crash happened outside the Foresters Oak pub on the A48 Chepstow Road, at Llandevaud, near Langstone.

A close neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "He was a lovely guy who was always polite and would always say hello.

"I have known his wife, Jennifer, for years. His death is very sad and we are all very shocked."

Councillor Verona Bamford, who represents the Thomwell-Chepstow ward, said: "I am shocked by what has happened and I really feel for his family."

Yesterday the Argus reported how horrified motorist Cliff Hegan, who was following the BMW and witnessed the crash, labelled the stretch of road a "death trap".

But Councillor Bob Bright, Newport council's Cabinet member for community safety, said: "I don't think it is a particularly dangerous road. However, I would like the accident experts' views on what happened, and road traffic engineers will carry out a report."

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: "I don't believe the road is a death trap, but certain areas of the A48 can be dangerous because it is a high-speed road."

A resident who lives near the scene of the crash, Mrs Pat Davies, said: "It is a tragedy when someone is killed in an accident like this. "Road accidents don't really happen that often around here."