Owners of classic motorcycles and minivans are being asked to attend a funeral procession in memory of a motor enthusiast.

David Staines, from Epping Green, died aged 63 on January 21 after suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

His son Glen Staines, from Ongar, decided to invite the county's bikers to drive past areas key to his father’s childhood.

Since launching ‘Last Ride for David Staines’ a week after his death, over 300 people have shared the Facebook page.

He said: “He was always a motor bike rider, we just thought it would be nice to give him a good send off.

“In the last two years his lung capacity went down to 25 per cent and he had a ventilation machine to help him breathe.”

The family believe Mr Staines’ condition was triggered from working on several farms where he had to break up chunks of asbestos.

His condition was an incurable one which often affects people who smoke or are exposed to areas containing asbestos.

It causes the lungs to become inflamed and narrowed

Around 1.2 million people in the UK are estimated to be living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Mr Staines wife of 43 years Chris said “He would be over the moon at the thought of having motors attending the funeral.

“Just seeing the bikes would be enough because he loved any sort.

“He had his own bikes, a Triumph X Saint police bike modified to a Triumph Bonneville.”

Epping Forest Guardian:

Daughter Tracy Staines, from Waltham Abbey, helped her brother set up the Facebook page and was shocked at the rapid response.

She said: “It would just be nice to have few of those on the way to the church and do the lap.

“Dad loved a scenic route. There was always a back road. He never went straight to where he had to go if he could go past the seaside.

"You never went the same way twice."

The family are asking people to make donations to the British Lung Foundation and The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society in Mr Staines' memory.

“So many people suffer with it and there needs to be a lot of research to stop it,” explained Mrs Staines.

"Apart from going on oxygen not much can be done for them.

“Chris was always smiling, always helping people and never had a bad word to say about anybody.”

When asked to describe what her father was like, his daughter Tracy said: “He was the kindest person ever.

"He always had the bonnet up on the car. He would have motorbike or car engines on the kitchen table. It was never an average upbringing.

“He always made everyone feel welcome and special. I think it’s a hard quality to have, you either have it or you don’t."

Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at Epping Road in Epping Green on February 14 at 12.30pm, before heading to Epping Upland All Saints Church.

For more information visit ‘Last Ride for David Staines’ on Facebook.