THE family of a tragic teenage motorbike rider have paid an emotional tribute to their sporting hero who "died doing what he loved."

Hundreds of friends and relatives were due to pay their respects to Steven Anderton during a funeral service at St Luke's CE church, Hancock Street, Blackburn, today.

More than 200 condolence cards have been sent to the family including one hand-made card from a 10-year-old neighbour describing Steven as the "best, kindest, much better than the rest."

The 16-year-old partially-sighted rider died when his motorbike crashed into a seafront wall at Blackpool during an organised time trial sprint event earlier this month. The death has rocked the Griffin community where he lived.

Police today revealed that their investigation into the death, and the fact that Steven took part with poor eyesight, was closed and there would be no criminal charges.

The Witton Park High School pupil was known for always being "a winner."

Steven had his first motorbike at the age of five and was an accomplished rider who made his debut at Hoghton Tower Silver Sprint in April.

There he took the title of youngest competitor on his 1989 Honda 125cc bike - clocking a time of 9.65 secs, the same time as his dad on a much more powerful bike.

Steven's pride and joy, a Yamaha DT 125 trial bike, now lies idle in the family's garage in Sandon Street.

"We never thought he would be able to ride or express himself on a bike but he really surprised us with his natural skill," said his devastated father Trevor, 54. "We said he must have a sixth sense. He coped with his sight in a way we could never understand. It was obvious he could achieve his goal from straight line speed events. He was such an achiever."

The family have files filled to bursting with Steven's awards. He became North West under-12 bear bow champion in archery at the age of 10 and went on to win a host of medals with the Warcock Archers in Samlesbury.

But his real love was motorbikes, inherited from his father's 30-year passion. Trevor, re-living the Blackpool disaster, said: "We had walked the course the night before.

"On his first run he did 14 seconds which was phenomenal. He rode perfectly. The last thing I said to him was that he had nothing to prove - he had won his class hands down."

The family plan to set up a memorial award at the school to acknowledge future pupils who achieve against adversity.