A HARLEY Davidson fanatic was given the ultimate send off when hundreds of the famed bikes escorted him to his final resting place.

Richard Auton, 57, from Benfleet, was given an escort by about 100 riders following his death from cancer earlier this month.

Mr Auton wasalifelong Harley fan and a master technician at the Harley dealers at Lakeside, so it wasn’t long until news of his death spread around the Harley fraternity, who wanted to do something special to mark his life.

On Friday, a fleet of the famous motorcycles converged on the Lakeside dealership to escort Mr Auton’s coffin to Upminster Crematorium.

Mr Auton’s wife of 15 years, Jane, 50, said: “He always loved Harley Davidsons. He was into them even when we met – there was one in his front room he was working on! He was always into that sort of thing.

“It’s been overwhelming what’s happened since he died. He was loved by so many people. He was a very loving family man and he would do anything for anybody.”

Mr Auton wasamember of Lakeside fraternity, and before that in Cheshire. Members of the Cheshire group turned up to pay their respects.

Mick Page, 56, was one of Mr Auton’s best mates and rode his bike to the funeral.

He said Mr Auton, who was nicknamed Pinball Wizard by his pals, was a “diamond geezer”.

Mr Page said: “I’ve never met anyone who was so positive and was so strong. He was more concerned about Jane and her settling into their new home than he was himself.”

Mike Lara, 31, was Richard’s apprentice at the dealership after joining in January. He said: “He took me under his wing and had lots of time for me. He was a very humble guy and treated everyone with respect.”

Mr Lara added: “We will really miss him. He never expected anything from anyone and always done his job with a smile of his face.”