HUNDREDS of cyclists rode behind a funeral procession as they united to remember "one of their own".

They turned out despite heavy downpours to celebrate the life of former Great Britain cyclist Dave Hitchen.

The talented sportsman's funeral, which took place at St Aidan's Church in Billinge at 10.30am, was attended by more than 300 people — and police stopped traffic so the procession of around 100 cyclists could accompany Dave's hearse from the church to St Helens Crematorium.

The father-of-one, who was 42, died after a motorbike collided with his bicycle during the Bolton Bash cycling sportive event in Lancashire on September 21.

Dave, a former Rainford High pupil, leaves wife Nicola and young daughter Izzy, who live in Billinge.

He had been a keen cyclist since the age of 12 and had gone on to win national and international competitions.

Greg Lunt, the captain of coveryourcar.co.uk racing team, of which Dave was a member, attended the funeral and took part in the riders' procession.

He said: "The church was packed out, there must have been 300 to 400 people in there, upstairs and down.

"And afterwards, our last ride with Dave was emotional but it was a fitting send-off for such a talented and well-liked man."

He added: "Some cyclists waited outside the church and formed a guard as Dave's coffin was carried out. About 80 to 100 of us rode behind the hearse to the crematorium. The police sent four outriders along and they did a good job stopping traffic so we could ride without incident."

During the funeral service, Reverend Alan Overend gave thanks for Dave's life, saying: "It's not how many years you live, but how you fill those you do."

Greg said: "The reverend summed it up with those words. Even though it ended too soon, Dave had a very full life and achieved a lot.

The five-mile ride from the church to the crematorium took the cyclists about 15 minutes.

Greg said: "It's something I'll remember forever. I never dreamt my next ride with Dave would be under these circumstances, but it was a great send-off."

Chairman of the Steve Prescott Foundation, Mike Denning, who attended the funeral, said: "It was an emotional service.

"Dave was a huge help to the foundation in the early days. He gave us cycling training for the 2009 Carnegie Challenge - and gave advice and support for future challenges. He has sadly gone, and we are thankful for the help and support he gave us."

Before riding with coveryourcar.co.uk, Dave had belonged to the St Helens and New Brighton cycling clubs.

Police in Lancashire are investigating the circumstances around the crash.