Around 1,300 people gathered at noon today to say a last goodbye to British Superbike rider Ollie Bridewell.

The sun shone from a blue sky as friends and family, abandoning traditional black funeral attire, crammed into St Mary's Church at Bishops Cannings to pay their respects to the popular 21-year-old.

Hundreds of people who could not be contained inside the church formed a respectful crowd outside to listen on a public address system as the Vicar, Rev Sally Attwater, led the service.

Moments earlier they watched as Ollie's father Marcus and brother Tommy carried his coffin, decked with flowers and Ollie's number 46 racing helmet, into the church attended by funeral directors from John Stuart in Devizes, wearing maroon ties to match Ollie's team colours.

Rising star Ollie from Etchilhampton died during a practice session at Mallory Park in Leicestershire on July 20 and ever since the outpouring of grief from all who knew him has been continuous.

Ollie's sister Charlotte read a poem for her lost brother at today's ceremony and Tommy also addressed the congregation, saying: "Our big brother was always there when we both needed him.

"He was always my biggest race rival. I always wanted to beat him."

Police were present in the crowded village to help direct the extra traffic into overflow carparks in fields and farmyards, such was the number of visitors who did not want to miss a word.

Superbike commentators Fred Clark and Larry Carter were among the throng. Mr Clark said in he felt Ollie would be taken aback by the amount of people and joked his friend would have said: "Cor flippin' eck Fred.

"Look at all these people, just for me, I can't believe it."

As people left church the song You'll Never Walk Alone was played as donation buckets for Cancer Research UK were handed around.

Tommy and four friends then rode off on motorbikes in front of the hearse back to Etchilhampton churchyard for Ollie's burial before a wake will be held at the family home.

Such was the heat and emotion of the day, two men collapsed outside the church but it was not necessary to call an ambulance.