Bikers lead emotional procession through Leeds for funeral of longest serving 'Blue Angels' member

John Rhodes sadly died at the age of 67 in July from a lung condition.

Popular biker John was the longest serving member at the Leeds 'chapter' of the Blue Angels - a motorcycle club formed in Scotland in 1963.

The Blue Angels Motorcycle Club was founded by Allan Morrison and Billy Gordon in Glasgow and is the oldest outlaw motorcycle club in Europe.

Club members often ride Triumphs and Norton motorbikes and don jackets bearing the colours of the club.

His son Darren, 44, told the Yorkshire Evening Post how hundreds of riders were taking John 'on his final ride' from their home in Belle Isle to the crematorium at Cottingley.

He said: "The Blue Angels was a big part of my dad's life.

"He was the longest serving member at the Leeds chapter having started there more than 50 years ago."

Following the news of John's death, many bikers contacted the family to offer their support and it was arranged for a procession of Harley Davidsons and other bikes to join.

Darren said: "There has been a lot of support from the bikers [for John].

"We spoke to quite a few last week about the funeral.

"They are coming from across the country from all different clubs."

Bikers attended from across the country for the 'final ride'.

John, who grew up in Leeds, worked at the Merrion Centre in the city for more than 40 years, working in the electrics department.

He had three children - Jason, 47, Donna, 41 and Darren, 44 - and six grandchildren.

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Thank you

Laura Collins