They came in their hundreds to say farewell to "DJ - a big man with an even bigger heart."

Fans in biker T-shirts and leathers mingled with traditionally dark-suited mourners for the funeral service of Baildon TT ace David Jefferies.

Fellow biker Simon Crafar drove 1,000 miles from his home in Andorra with his family to attend to service at St Peter's Church, Shipley, yesterday - where David was baptised.

He and David had shared many beers after the races and become close pals in the past year, he revealed.

"He used to bath my son, and we'd have a beer and talk about the race.

"I know when people die things are said which can get out of all proportion but DJ was not the average guy in the sport.

"He was more human than 99 per cent of people in the sport. He was so genuine, no ego, no front. In a world that can be quite plastic that guy really stands out."

A massive ride-past of bikers with their visors down as a show of respect was allowed up the sealed-off road by police ahead of the arrival of the cortege.

It arrived shortly before noon with David's helmet on top of the coffin alongside a blue and white floral tribute which simply said DJ.

His father Tony followed in a wheelchair, after an injury which ended his own racing career, along with his mother Pauline and the rest of the family. He mouthed thank-yous to the crowds as he made his way into church.

The vicar, the Reverend John Rainer, said yesterday had to reflect the grieving family's sadness but also had to pay tribute to all of David achievements.

"Many of us involved in racing will want to affirm that the sense of achievement involved in winning races and breaking records isn't achieved without risking, without a sense of believing that something out there is worth achieving, and even perhaps dying for.

"The alternative is to do nothing and to achieve nothing."

Race commentator Fred Clarke paid his own personal tribute to the man who jokingly dubbed himself "powered by pies".

In a service relayed outdoors to cope with the crowds unable to get inside the packed church, he said: "We have lost one of the greatest modern day road racers and the world has lost a great man."

He revealed he spoke to David just before he started the fatal lap on May 29 which cost him his life in the TT races in the Isle of Man.

He had already done one super-fast lap which had put him on top of the ratings.

"He must have allowed himself the luxury of a smile. That is how I remember the big fella, with his head down, flat on the tank with a smile on his face.

"He was man of integrity, honesty and humility coupled with a dose of Yorkshire wit."

One fan, David Barton, of Liverpool, had been on the island at the time of the tragedy and was among the mourners outside.

He said: "It was such a shock. I was thinking: No, this isn't happening.

"People are killed there every year and that is tragic, but no-one expected it would be Dave.

"For being a big lad and to ride a bike like that was awesome. He was aggressive and hard but he knew how to handle a bike."

Chris Leather, of Preston, said: "You admired him because he could do what nearly everybody else couldn't.

"He always said he did it as quickly and as safely as he could.

"I am not family, I never met him, but he was a down-to-earth sort of guy and I had to be here today.

"Riding that course - probably the most dangerous in the world - always looked easy for him. He never looked reckless or untidy."

The service began with the Bryan Adams hit, (Everything I do) I do it for You, and included the hymns Jerusalem and the 23rd Psalm. It was followed by a private cremation.

The family asked for donations in David's memory to be sent to: Auto Cycle Union Benevolent Fund, ACU House, Wood Street, Rugby, Warwickshire.