A former police motorcycle instructor killed in a crash on the M20 received a police escort to his funeral today.

Michael Copleston, from Hawkinge, served in the Metropolitan Police for three decades and officers paid tribute to him by escorting his coffin to his funeral at Hawkinge Crematorium this afternoon.

He was a chauffeur for the American embassy when he died in a head-on collision with a car driving the wrong-way on the motorway at Ashford on November 29.

The hearse was led by a trio of police motorcycles and accompanied the family to the service.

Mr Copleston, 60, was described as "a very knowledgeable and a great guy who was respected by everyone".

He served in the police and was also an advanced car instructor, training officers in road safety, before working for the American embassy in London as a driver.

Matthew Barzun, the USA's ambassador to the UK wrote to Mr Copleston's wife of 39 years, Pauline, sending his condolences.

He told the family American embassies around the world held a minute's silence in Mr Copleston's honour.

Mr Copleston was riding his BMW motorcycle on the coastbound M20 at junction 9 when he collided with a Ford Ka, an inquest hearing was told last week.

The father-of-two and grandfather to four was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

His daughter, Donna Clarkson, said: "He’s left a huge gap in everyone’s lives and will be greatly missed by all.

"Rest in peace dad, life will never be the same without you. I just can’t believe you have been taken from us."