THE funeral of a young Blackburn motorcyclist saw more than 200 bikers escort his coffin and heard him described as ‘unique, caring and strong’ person.

Joshua Duxbury, 21, a chef who worked at his family’s business, The Route 59 Café, near Skipton, died in a crash on the A59 close to the premises after his bike crashed into a lorry on Saturday, October 8.

The biking community pledged to come out in force to honour the 21-year-old.

Prior to yesterday afternoon’s funeral service at Pleasington Crematorium, around 200 bikers gathered on the coach park at Ewood Park stadium and later rode in sequence behind the funeral cortege.

Such was the turnout for Joshua, who was known by bikers across the country, that the party was given a police escort and junctions were closed as the procession passed through Blackburn.

Joshua, who was described as ‘passionate about motorbikes’, lived on the nearby Oakdale estate with his mother Audrey, father Sean and brothers Phil and Kurtis.

He was a former St Silas Primary School and Witton Park Academy pupil and studied to be a chef at Accrington and Rossendale College.

More than 300 mourners gathered at Pleasington with the short service relayed by loudspeaker with the majority of mourners outside the small chapel.

Linda Riding, who presided over the service, told mourners that Joshua came from an ‘incredibly close knit family’ and that ‘he died what he loved doing the most, riding his bike’.

She said that Joshua had packed an enormous amount into his 21 years and had found salvation and enormous happiness during three years working at the café.

Those attending were told whenever he would hear a bike on the car park he would bound out to greet the rider and talk endlessly about motorcycles and accessories.

He had been given his first bike shortly after his 16th birthday.

One of his favourite songs, Whatever by Oasis was played at the service as mourners paused to remember him.

John ‘Tily’ Tillotson, 32 from Accrington, arrived with members of the Accrington based Globe Motorcyle Club.

He had attended with members of another Hyndburn based group, The Cogheads.

He said: “Joshua an outstanding young fellow whose life was bikes.

“He died doing what we’re all passionate about and we stick together. We’ve lost a brother and we’re here to respect and honour him, give him the send off he deserves.”