THE treasured white Dutton autotest car of motor sport champion Tim Sargeant took pride of place in the funeral cortege as the tragic driver made his last journey.

And as the curtains closed at the end of the funeral, Tim's favourite theme -- from BBC2's Top Gear programme -- was played.

British National Autotest Champion Dave Mosey drove the car which followed the hearse and the funeral car.

Orange motor sports pennants, which usually signal the route to an event, marked out the way to Burnley crematorium and each had three black 'sergeant' stripes.

Tim, 47, died at his home just 24 hours after winning the final round of the SD34 Autotest Championship in Knutsford.

Tim leaves his wife Eileen, son Calvin, daughter Tina and two grandchildren Rachel and PJ, his brother Bob, his partner Alison and niece Ruth.

Celine Dion's Titanic theme My Heart Will Go On echoed as his coffin was carried into the chapel.

At least 40 people were standing at the back of Burnley Crematorium and outside the chapel as many representatives of motorsport and friends of Tim said their farewell.

Duncan Wild, a fellow member of the Knutsford Motor Club, paid tribute to Tim recalling what a "generous and kind" man he was.

He recounted taking part in the final round of the Welsh Championships last year and having problems with his car.

He said Tim fixed the car for him and he then went on to win with Tim coming in second place, and it was Tim who was the first to congratulate him on his success.

He also told of the highlight of Tim's motorsport career when he won the BTRDA Gold Star Autotest Championship last year.

Clayton Baptist Church pastor Brian Ashcroft paid tribute to Tim saying: "He would radiate a special light.

"He had a great way with young people and older people and he made many friends and he kept in contact with them."

When Tim was ten the family moved to Clayton-le-Moors and he had attended Mount Pleasant Primary School before going on to Rhyddings High in Oswaldtwistle.

His family were closely linked with Clayton Baptist Church, with his father being church secretary and organist and his mother a Sunday school teacher; his grandfather had been a Baptist minister.

His brother Bob still lives in Accrington.

Mr Ashcroft said: "Tim was a marvel when it came to working with cars and engines and people would come to him for his vast knowledge.

"He would just have to listen to the engine to know what the problem was."

Tim, of Hutton Drive, Burnley, was a partner with Bill Hanna in Enfield Motor Services in Rosegrove for more than ten years and the firm has received many tributes from customers to Tim.

A book of remembrance was at the crematorium for people to sign and recount their personal recollections of Tim.

Mr Ashcroft added: "To a devoted husband, dad and grandad and a loved uncle, to a man of great character -- this world will be so much the less."