HUNDREDS of bikers from all over Europe descended on the Wear Valley to escort one of their 'brothers' on his final journey today.

A mass two-wheeler entourage stretching half-a-mile followed behind the hearse carrying the body of 33-year-old Michael Horner, from Shildon, who was tragically killed on his motorbike in Scotland almost two weeks ago.

Michael, known by his friends as Inch, was killed when his bike collided with a 4x4 vehicle close to where the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles were staying at Balmoral Castle.

The Royal family prayed for him at a service at Cathie Kirk, the day after the tragic accident, which happened on Saturday, August 11.

Mourners lined the street next to St Thomas's Church, in Byerley Road, Shildon, as a sea of bikes arrived to give Inch a fitting send off.

His mother Rita, 62, has been inundated with cards and letters from as far away as Macedonia, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal.

Inch, who leaves a nine-year-old son, Andrew, was a well-respected member of the Newcastle branch of the National Chopper Club and more than 500 fellow bikers from throughout Europe made the long journey to his funeral.