DOZENS of pink and white balloons were released at the funeral of a doorman who was killed in a car accident on his way home from work.

About 300 mourners gathered today to pay their respects to Royston Orr, known as Roy, who died on Saturday, December 1, aged 35.

Roy, of Greenbank Park, Longridge, is believed to have lost control of his silver Peugeot 406 during heavy rain and high wind between 3am and 3:55am.

He hit a tree off Ribchester Road, Ribchester, and despite efforts from firefighters and paramedics, died at the scene.

Only a small number of mourners could fit inside Calverly's Funeral Services on Chatburn Road where the non-religious funeral service was held.

Hundreds of others, including members of family, waitied outside the funeral home, lining Chatburn Road in the bitter cold.

During the service, Roy's favourite trance records were played along with P Diddy's I'll Be Missing You'.

An impromptu guard of honour was formed as his coffin was brought out to be placed in the hearse.

The coffin was covered in a large spray of red roses, a heart-shaped floral tribute with white and red flowers, and white chrysanthemums spelling Roy.

Roy's sister, Claire Astley, who lives in Clitheroe, said: "I'm really pleased with the amount of people who have come to the funeral and all the kind words they have said about him."

Traffic in Clitheroe ground to a halt as police directed mourners and over 100 cars to Waddington Road Cemetary for the burial.

At the cemetary, mourners formed a semi-circle on the frosty grass around the burial plot.

A representative of Calverly's led the tributes at the graveside. He said: "We are all gathered here to say a final farewell to Roy in this peaceful place with his mother Andrea."

He gave a recital of the Lord's Prayer before the coffin was lowered into the ground and the balloons were released.

Claire said that Roy had liked the same style of balloons so much at their mother's funeral, that they decided to honour him in the samer way.

She added: "As he was lowered his spirit went with the balloons."

The wake was held at Whalley Road British Legion where pictures of Roy, who worked at Blackburn's Baroque Bar in Northgate, were placed on doors and walls.

Paula O'Neil and Ann-Marie Dowden attended the funeral, representing Clitheroe Social Club where Roy worked for 10 years.

Paula said: "The turnout shows how well liked he was.

"He never ignored anybody and everybody loved him."

Adrian Garner, owner of Bar Ibiza in Blackburn said: "Roy was my cousin's son and I've known him all his life.

"He's had a really good turn-out, over 300 people I would say, who have come to pay their respects to the kind and gentle person Roy was.

"He was exceptionally well liked."

Police are appealing for witnesses. Call 01254 51212.