Well-known Fakenham auctioneer James Beck remains in a critical but stable condition this morning after suffering life-threatening injuries in a road crash.

Mr Beck, 38, was riding a blue Aprilia ESV 1000cc motorcycle when he collided with a blue Volkswagen Golf on the A148 Creake Road in Sculthorpe, near Fakenham, at around 2.40pm on Sunday.

A Norfolk Police spokesman said he suffered life-threatening injuries including a broken right collar bone, a damaged right lung and internal bleeding.

Mr Beck, who lives in Colkrik and runs long-established family business James Beck Auctions on Cattle Market Street, Fakenham, was originally taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn and has been transferred to Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, where he is currently receiving treatment.

Mr Beck has a wife, Tina, and two young children.

His close friend Les Cook, 65, who lives in Little Ryburgh near Fakenham said yesterday: 'I have known James since he was a child and you really couldn't meet a nicer bloke.

'He is a super guy and he is very popular around the town. Last Thursday he was out collecting money for the Poppy Appeal. There will be many people like myself who hope that he pulls through.'

He added: 'I have spoken to Trevor Boulter, the porter at James Beck Auctions, and I'm offering to help out and keep the business going so his family don't have to think about it while they are going through this. I'll wait to see what they say.'

A notice, which appeared outside James Beck Auctions yesterday, said: 'We apologise but due to unfortunate circumstances beyond our control there will be no auction on Thursday, November 15.'

Mr Beck's mother Diana Beck said that a doctor, who was in a car nearby at the time of the crash, acted quickly to save his life.

She said she would like this doctor to contact her so that she can offer her thanks and this can be done by calling the EDP on 01328 862678 or e mailing adam.lazzari@archant.co.uk

Mrs Beck did not wish to comment further at this stage.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or saw the manner of driving of either vehicle prior to the collision contact PC David Cole or Sgt Paul Cross at Swaffham Roads Policing on the non-emergency 101 number.