MOTORCYCLES lined the outside of Worcester Cathedral as mourners came to pay their last respects to Evesham racer Simon Andrews, who died last month.

The 31-year-old died on Monday, May 19, after crashing at the North West 200 Superstock road race in Northern Ireland the previous Saturday.

At Tuesday’s funeral the cars carrying his family and his coffin were followed through the city of Worcester and down the drive of the cathedral by a convoy of motorcyclists.

Mr Andrews rode for RAF Reserves Honda and yesterday his coffin was given a saluted and carried into the cathedral by members of the RAF .

Adding to the other motorbike fans that had turned up for the service, which started at 3pm, there were about 50 bikes and riders in attendance.

Many attendees dressed in their motorcycle leathers, and some wore bright colours after being encouraged to do so by the family.

Mr Andrews’s helmet was placed on top of his coffin as he was carried into the cathedral to the song Stay Awake by London Grammar.

Prior to the funeral, his parents, Stuart and Dee Andrews, posted a tribute on the motorcyclist’s website.It said: “We are totally devastated by Simon’s untimely death at the North West 200.

“As you may understand, the pain is incredible.

“The heart and soul have been ripped out of all of us.

“But we are also so very proud to have been enlightened in the last few days with all that Simon achieved – so much of it we never knew as his parents – and we thank you all for your support.

“A man is judged by his peers, the friends he keeps, the hearts he’s touched – that’s the measure of a true man. Simon, our lovely, son, was a man that became part of us and will always remain with all of us.”

He was well known on the racing circuit, and about 5,000 riders stretching 15 miles did a lap of the Isle of Man TT circuit in respect of his racing career, on June 1.

Some relatives and friends of Mr Andrews also got his number, #17, tattooed on them as their own way of honouring the racer.

It was requested that donations in remembrance of Mr Andrews be made to the Midlands Air Ambulance.