Newton Aycliffe: Funeral held for Bobby Grimes, 13

Hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to a boy who died following a motorcycle crash on a County Durham road.

Mourners stood outside St Clare’s Church on St Cuthbert’s Way in Newton Aycliffe to honour the memory of Bobby Grimes, 13, who lost his life in a motorcycle accident on Middridge Road, near Rushyford roundabout, on July 5.

Dozens of people riding motorbikes led the funeral cortege, followed by a convoy of other vehicles - including trucks carrying floral tributes - as it slowly made its way along Stephenson Way towards the church.

A truck and hearse holding floral tributes to Bobby parked outside the entrance to the church, while onlookers observed from outside Blake’s bar and the car park opposite the building.

(Image: Durham Constabulary)

Pallbearers wearing blue T-shirts carried the blue casket, with a large floral tribute on the top, inside the church as attendees paid their respects outside.

Those attending formed a guard of honour as the casket was taken inside.

Many of those attending were also wearing blue shirts, some bearing messages and photographs paying tribute to the deceased.

Following the funeral, the hearse left the church followed by the bikes and other vehicles.(Image: Sarah Caldecott)

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Schoolboy Bobby was killed alongside Wayne Hodgson, 18, on the same motorbike, after a collision with a car

In a tribute to their “greatly-loved” son following the accident, Bobby's family said: “Bobby was a greatly-loved son, brother, nephew, cousin, grandson.

“He was a cheeky boy who loved to say ‘wise man’. He will never be forgotten and missed forever.”

They also thanked a member of the public who gave Bobby first aid at the scene, adding: “He is a hero in our eyes.”

(Image: Sarah Caldecott)