The heartbroken family and friends of a North East British Superbike legend who died earlier this month have said their final farewell.

Hundreds of bikers travelled in succession across the region as they made their way to the funeral of Chrissy Rouse from Burnopfield in County Durham.

The 26-year-old died on October 6 after crashing during the Bennetts British Superbike Championship race at Donnington Park just days before.

He had tragically been struck by another rider during the first lap and was immediately treated trackside before being taken to hospital in Nottingham.

At the time, tributes poured in for the young man after it was announced he had died "peacefully surrounded by his family."

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Today, close friends, family and members of the racing community came together to pay their respects at Emmanuel College in Gateshead. He had been a pupil there.

Pictures taken just before 11am showed hundreds of bikers dressed in a range of pink and black as they followed the funeral cortege into the gates.

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

The college had posted funeral arrangements earlier this week, which included opening up several parts of the site to accommodate those expected to attend.

The funeral was then streamed on YouTube live.

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

At the time of his death, hundreds of tributes emerged with Emmanuel College issuing a statement, describing him as a "friend."

They said: "We are very deeply saddened by the death of former student, staff member and friend, Chrissy Rouse.

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"Someone who exemplified the spirit of Emmanuel College. A person of excellence who lived with humility and demonstrated remarkable love for others."

Others echoed this and described Chrissy as a "true gent" among the community and that there were no words.

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

The coroner, police and the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board are working together in order to investigate the full circumstances of the tragic accident.

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