Funeral held for Motocross rider Thomas Brown

A farmer who died in a motocross crash in County Durham has been taken to his funeral by a tractor followed by dozens of bikers.

Thomas Brown, 27, suffered fatal injuries while riding at Hardwick Motocross track in Sedgefield, County Durham, last month.

His funeral was held at St Mary's Church in Barnard Castle, where the cortege brought the town centre to a standstill.

His coffin was taken to the church on a trailer pulled by a tractor.

Mr Brown was a popular member of the motocross community and riders revved their engines as the procession made its way to the church.

A toy digger was laid beside the coffin on the trailer.

Mr Brown, who worked on his family's farm, had been involved in motocross since the age of eight.

Durham Police said Mr Brown was not taking part in a race at the time of the crash.

In a separate incident that day, a female rider was airlifted to hospital following a crash.

A collection was made in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance after the funeral.