A YOUNG mechanic who died in a motorcycle accident was looking forward to the birth of his first child, it was revealed today.

Tributes were paid to 23-year-old Robert Phillips by his family in Haxby, his friends and his pregnant girlfriend, Mel Wright, from Heworth.

Robert died last Tuesday morning on his way to work at Centurion Audi, at Clifton Moor, from the home he shared with Mel, at Rawcliffe.

The couple had lived together for only ten days and were planning to get married. Their baby is due on January 22.

Mel, who was 25 today, said: "I heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time on Wednesday, the day after he died.

"He was so looking forward to us having the baby."

She said she would remember Robert as someone who would do anything for her.

"He always had something to do, he always had his days filled, but he would do anything for me."

Robert's mum, Sally, said she wanted to thank everyone for the many cards, flowers and visits the family had received since his death.

She said: "We are very proud of Robert. He will always be loved."

She said he and his sister, Rebecca, 22, and brother, Ryan, 18, had always been very close and the family had known them as "the three Rs".

Robert was born and bred in York. He was born at Fulford Maternity Hospital, and grew up in South Bank, Leeman Road, Clifton, Wigginton and Haxby.

He went to Burdyke Infant, Kingsway Junior and Queen Anne schools, and was always fascinated by cars.

After school, he worked at the former Pulleyn's garage, at Wigginton, then DC Cook in Lawrence Street, TC Harrison at Jockey Lane, and for the last three years, Centurion Audi.

The funeral cortege will set off from Centurion Audi for the church on Friday, instead of from Haxby, and all Audi dealerships in the region will be stopping for a minute's silence at 1pm.

Robert's immediate boss Mick Holdsworth, service manager, said: "He was well-loved by everybody. I'll always remember his mischievous cheeky grin, he was a cracking worker, he was always reliable and would always help anybody. Nothing was too much trouble.

"I was his boss in name, but really we were just good friends, in and out of work."

Robert's funeral takes place at 1pm at St Mary's and St Nicholas' Church in Wigginton, followed by a ceremony at Haxby Cemetery.

Updated: 11:39 Tuesday, July 16, 2002