THE streets are set to be filled with more than 100 motorcycles when the funeral of one of Okehampton's most respected residents, who died tragically last week, takes place tomorrow (Friday.)

The funeral of Dave Jamieson, which will be held in an Exeter crematorium, will see a parade of motorcycles follow a motorcycle hearse through the town.

The parade will leave Okehampton Rugby Club at 12.30pm and the bikes will make their way on to the old A30 to Whiddon Down, continuing on to the new A30 to Exeter. Police are expected to control the traffic as the parade makes it way through the town and on to Exeter.

A friend of Mr Jamieson, Martin Adkins, who had known him for more than 35 years, said the day will be a big mark of respect for a much loved man.

He said: 'The amount of people there will be the measure of the man and the esteem that everybody held him in.

'People will be coming from all over the county and as far away as Spain.

'At the funeral I will be thanking everybody for coming and for seeing Dave ride off into the sunset one last time.'

Dave Jamieson, who was 49 years old, died when he fell into a 60ft deep lake after a fence gave way at a private party in Lifton.

A women in her 30s and from Okehampton, who also fell into the lake, was rescued from the water and airlifted to Derriford Hospital.

She was released last week and returned home on Friday, August 14.

Hundreds of people from Okehampton and beyond are expected to line the streets to remember the motorcycle enthusiast, who enjoyed attending motorcycle shows and spending time with his friends.

Good friend of Mr Jamieson, Gideon Hutt, said: 'Dave was very close to a lot of people.

'The thing is with Dave is that he was like family and everybody who knew him said the same thing — he was like a brother to them and that is how I felt too.'

Steve Copeman, also a very good friend of Mr Jamieson, said: 'I knew Dave for the best part of 20 years.

'To me, as far as top blokes go, he was just top of the pile — he was the summit.

'He was always there for anyone, at the end of the telephone, anytime you needed him.

'He will be deeply and sadly missed by all who knew him and the funeral and parade will be a massive mark of respect to a truly great guy.'

Mr Jamieson, who worked in and around the town for most of his life, will be cremated in Exeter on Friday, August 21 at 2pm.

Donations in lieu of flowers for Devon Air Ambulance may be made by plate collection or c/o K C Redstone, Funeral Director, Moorlands, South Zeal, Okehampton EX20 2NZ.