Hundreds of bikers turned out for the funeral of a popular mechanic who died aged just 23 after suffering complications during surgery.

The motorcade flooded the streets of Horsham in West Sussex to mourn the death of “massive bike lover” Lewis Chilcott [CORRECT].

His coffin was transported by one of his favourite bikes in a glass hearse sidecar from his home in Billingshurst to the Toat [CORRECT] Cafe in Pulborough.

Lewis’ Last Ride was attended by more than 200 bikers from groups, including the 1000cc Club, Box Hill Bikers, and Bike Escorts UK, as well as family and friends.

Sussex Police escorted Lewis along the 30 mile route, which includes some of his favourite spots, closing roads and roundabouts ahead of the procession.

Lewis’ helmet was placed on top of the Harley Davidson coffin for mourners to sign..

His twin sister, Hannah, who joined the procession on Monday said: “Lewis was a massive bike lover and a mechanic, so anything fast and with wheels, he was all over it.

“On Monday August 16 at 12pm we said our last physical goodbyes.

“He was a very loved son, brother, twin, uncle, cousin, friend and many more titles.

“We really did not expect that many people to show up, it turned a really sad day into a wow day.

“Hundreds of people know him. He brought smiles and laughter to everyone that knew him.

“It’s hard to imagine life without him because he was the staple of the family.”

Mr Chilcott was admitted to hospital on 11 June after suffering a seizure and was given a tracheotomy, but suffered a rupture during the procedure.

After going into cardiac arrest, he was transferred to Brighton Hospital where he went into open heart surgery for 11-hours and recovered.

Unfortunately, a couple weeks later, he suffered another rupture and died on the morning of 24 July despite the medical staff's best efforts to save him.

Mrs Chilcott set up a crowdfunding page to help pay for his funeral which received £6,643 in donations.

She said: “Me and my family are completely grateful and overwhelmed by the amount of love everyone has for Lewis.

“You are now my twin in the form of an angel, flawless and perfect in every single way.

“We would like to thank the Sussex Police, 1000cc Club, Box Hill Bikers, and Bike Escorts UK for the overwhelming response and involvement in Lewis’s Last Ride.

“With over 200 bikers, passengers, cameramen, videographers, over 200 people in the chapel, Sussex Police [and] all of Lewis’s friends and family, we managed to give Lewis a one in a million farewell, which without a doubt will be one big memory and will go down in the bikers’ history.”

“A ‘massive thank you’ to the people who supported a fundraiser which helped make Lewis’s send off possible, as well as to ‘Tom, Kyle, Brad, Marty, Ryan and many more for their efforts on the big day’.

“Last but not least, thank you to Frances Chappell & Sons and Hayley Rich for everything they have done.”