MORE than 300 mourners turned out to say farewell to a popular 21-year-old who died in a road accident.

The funeral of John Sullivan took place at today at St Patrick's Church in Cromwell Road, Somerton, Newport.

Mr Sullivan, from Lliswerry, died in Swansea's Morriston Hospital eight days after he was seriously injured in a collision with another car near Porthcawl on December 9.

As the former Lliswerry School pupil was a motorbike enthusiast, a procession of 18 bikes followed the hearse from the church to his final resting place in St Woolos cemetery.

The bikes, and one three wheeler, included a number of customised Hondas and many sported the Welsh flag.

Friends and family packed the aisles at the service, a traditional Catholic funeral mass led by Father Brian Cuddihy.

Dozens of bikers in their riding jackets stood with soldiers from the Territorial Army, of which Mr Sullivan was a member, all in their full military dress.

Hymns included 'Cwm Rhondda' and 'The Lord's My Shepherd', and Father Cuddihy led the congregation in prayers and communion.

Barry Hawkins, a friend of Mr Sullivan's and member of the South Wales Wings bike club, read the eulogy.

He said: "John loved sport and technology, and he served with the Queen's Dragoon Guards for a few months, where he learned to drive.

"He was a carpenter, and it was working in Cardiff that he got his nickname "Woody".

"John loved cars, his talent with a socket set was well known, and he would always help neighbours when they couldn't start their cars.

"John was his family's tonic, if anyone had a bad a day he would raise their spirits.

"He had a smile that would light up a room and a wicked sense of humour.

"It was a pleasure and a privelage to know him."

The service ended with the playing of 'Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau'.