DOZENS of motorcycles lined the streets in honour of a bike-crazy mum who had died, before she was taken to the crematorium in a trike hearse for “the best send-off”.

Son Laurie Thompson was overwhelmed with emotion after watching 78 motorbikes arrive to take part in the tribute for his mum Diane, who died suddenly in her home.

The family, who put a post on Facebook asking for bikers to pay tribute on the day, were amazed at the numbers turning up.

Ms Thompson, from Laindon, had not long beaten breast cancer and was on the road to recovery - but no matter the challenges she faced, motorbikes remained her lifelong passion.

The mum-of-two even kept motorbikes in her kitchen, living room and garden over the years, having first got into biking as a teenager.

Her son Laurie followed the trike hearse on his mum’s motorbike all the way from Fonteyn Close to Pitsea Crematorium, alongside the fellow bikers.

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Laurie, from Basildon, said: “We couldn’t have asked for anything more, it was the perfect send-off for her.

“I put a post out on Facebook about what we were trying to do and that got 600 shares, but I had no idea how many bikes would turn up.

“They just kept coming, a lot of them strangers and people from bike clubs doing it out of respect for her. Some even came an hour and a half on their day off just to be there.

“It was such an emotional moment which my brother Ricky got to watch on Zoom all the way from Australia, I know if mum was here she would have loved it.”

Concerns were raised when Ms Thompson hadn’t been heard from or seen by neighbours for a few days.

After suddenly collapsing, the 59-year-old passed away on February 20.

Her son is now reaching out to thank those who joined in on her final journey on Friday.

The 40-year-old said: “We had between 15 to 20 bikes turn up from the Thurrock Bikers group. I’ve never experienced anything like it and I’m so grateful.”