THE funeral of 19-year-old Luke Batters - who died in a motorbike crash in Whitson, Newport, shortly after Christmas - will take place on Friday, after an online appeal to pay for it raised more than £7,000.

Mr Batters, of Newport, died on December 28, his family later paying public tribute to a young man "known for his sunny nature and willingness to help others".

His heartbroken family subsequently set up an online 'gofundme' fundraising page to raise money to pay for the funeral, and give him what his father Dudley - in a tribute on that page - called "the best send off ever - worthy of him and all that he was".

A target of £3,500 was set, but to date it has raised £7,171.

A funeral service for Mr Batters will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, on Friday February 1, at noon.

Mr Batters was described in his family's tribute, published in the South Wales Argus, as being an "accomplished player" of the global internet game Eve Online, "where he had many friends".

It is understood that the Eve Online community is also organising an international tribute to Mr Batters.

Mr Batters, a former pupil at St Albans RC School, Pontypool, was riding his motorbike when he was involved in a crash in Common Road, Whitson, at around 11.45am on Friday December 28. No other vehicles were involved.