IT was a fitting send-off for popular Dilton Marsh motorcyclist Stuart Lange on Saturday (July 23) as a huge procession of motorcyclists followed his hearse to Dilton Marsh Church, where his funeral took place.

The popular 38-year-old died on Friday, July 1 after he was involved in a collision with a car in Clink Road, Frome.

To commemorate the loving father-of-two, who moved to Dilton Marsh from Frome two years ago, a fleet of around 300 bikers wearing orange t-shirts with ‘legend’ branded on them took over the roads - a memorial organised by a group of his biking friends.

One of the organisers and close friend, Simon Boon, said: "Stuart's death hit us very hard and we wanted to make his funeral as memorable as possible.

"We each did our own little bit towards organising it and once the word was out, everyone wanted to be involved in some way.

"A lot of planning went into it from making sure the correct roads were blocked to laying the route with flowers to getting the t-shirts designed and printed, but it's the least he deserved.

"The word 'legend' is used a lot, but that's really what Stuart was. He would always go the extra mile to help people and lit up every room he was in.

"We're really pleased the memorial went so well and we're all very proud. We want to make sure he is not forgotten."

Mr Lange was known for a number of charitable activities in the community including organising a charity motorcycle ride in memory of April Jones, who was murdered in 2012. He leaves behind daughter Sophie, aged nine, and son Charlie, aged two.

Vicar Steve Jarvis, who held the funeral service, said: “It was very moving and I doubt we’ll ever see anything like that again, it was very rare. "The family were very moved by it and I’m sure Stuart would have been very proud.

“He was very well known in the village and will be greatly missed. Things won’t be the same without him. We keep on expecting to see him walk into the pub.”

The cortege set off from TL Vehicle Servicing and Repair Centre on Grove Lane, where he worked, before making its way to Clink Road where the crash happened and then to Dilton Marsh Church, where the funeral took place.

The Facebook group ‘Stuart Lange’s Memorial Ride’ which was set up to keep people informed on the ride has been joined by over 600 members since he died.

Undertaker Nick Pearce said: "I was a friend of Stuart, he was a lovely guy and very popular in the village.

"It's by far the biggest funeral I have ever done. Seeing the vast sea of orange brought a lump to our throats and a tear to our eyes.

"It was absolutely incredible and so well organised, I'm chuffed with how it went.

"It was like a carnival going through Frome with people lining the road and clapping as the hearse drove through."

Money raised from the event will go the family of Mr Lange, who will then choose which charity they would like to donate it to.