• To see a video report of the funeral click here.

Thousands of bikers took to the streets for the funeral of Hells Angel Gerry Tobin, who was shot in the head riding down the M40 last month.

Police estimates put at 3,000 the number of bikers who gathered for the funeral and a 13-mile procession from Mottingham, south-east London, the chapter's clubhouse, to Mortlake Crematorium.

Bikers from across Europe and the UK were on hand to pay their respects and have a few drinks in memory of their dead "brother".

Metallica and other hard rock played out to the crowds at the crematorium and heart-felt speeches from his loved ones were broadcast via a public address system.

His girlfriend Rebecca Smith said: "The fact that he sacrificed his life for the brotherhood sums up the principle character of Gerry."

Onlookers, initially shocked by the sight of thousands of leather-clad bikers in Mortlake, commented on the beauty of seeing such an enormous cortege of motorbikes. Many more were simply perplexed to see the hundreds of bikes lining the streets in and around the crematorium grounds.

Police closed roads due to the sheer number of motorbikes on the route down Victoria Embankment, Westminster Bridge, Putney Bridge and the Hammersmith flyover.

Officers were also out in force and, although there were one or two minor scuffles, the afternoon event passed without major incident.

Floral tributes were left to Gerry, 35, and an advert on the Hells Angel London chapter's website invited those who knew him to an evening service.

The Hells Angels motor club has also set up a memorial fund in Gerry's memory.

Gerry had been at the famous Bulldog Bash bikers' festival and was riding in convoy with two friends when he was shot. He was born in Macclesfield and lived in Canada until 10 years ago, when he returned with Rebecca and took up work at a Harley Davidson dealership in Mottingham.

Simon Turner, 40, Dane Garside, 41, and Sean Creighton, 43, have been charged with Gerry's murder. They are also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

  • To see a video report of the funeral click here.