The family of a motorbike fanatic are appealing for fellow enthusiasts to join him on one final ride.

Father-of-two Richard Green died last month at the age of 77 after a battle with pneumonia.

After his children, Angela, 50, and Callum, 18, his life was dedicated to anything on two wheels to the point where he could almost "sniff out bikes", says Angela.

In order to give him the send off he deserves his family want as many bikers as possible to accompany the hearse to Medway Crematorium, off Blue Bell Hill, next Friday.

"We miss him absolutely desperately and want to do him proud," said Angela, adding: "Wherever my dad is watching us from I want him to hear us as well as see us."

The procession will set off from Duncan Road, Gillingham, at 11.45am, with Richard's crash helmet placed on top of the coffin.

Angela, of Sunnymead Avenue, Gillingham, has already shared her appeal on Facebook and managed to drum up the support of a dozen riders.

Born in Ilford in 1942 to Mary and Charles Green, Richard only got to meet his dad after he came back from the war.

Tragically, five days later he was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Richard was obsessed with anything on two wheels and soon graduated from push bikes to motorbikes.

Angela said: "When he was growing up his room would be full of parts. He could fix anything.

"He loved speed. We found his old driving licences the other day and the number of endorsements is ridiculous, there's 30 or 40 and even an old newspaper clipping about when he was in magistrates' court for going at 63mph on the M1. He admitted the offence but tried to argue it wasn't too fast, I think the limit back then was 60.

"He'd know exactly what type of bike it was just by the shape of the headlights and would religiously buy the Motor Cycle News even when his eyesight started to go — he'd just look at the pictures.

"The last bike he bought was a Suzuki GS 1000, which at the time was the most powerful on the roads. He sold it in 2004 as he had to stop riding because of his health."

Richard, who worked at the British Loose Leaf factory in Crayford until the 80s, moved to Medway in 2005 and lived with son Callum in Duncan Road ever since.

He was recognisable thanks to his trusty woolly hat and was known at the gates of Napier Community Primary where he'd always wait to pick Callum up.

If you'd like to help just turn up for 11.45am. Angela can be contacted on 07722 099 232.