BANGER cars drove through the streets to pay respect to a well-known racer who has died at 51.

Enthusiasts travelled from as far as Belgium to pay tribute to champion driver Dave “Kingy” King at his funeral.

Some 1,500 mourners lined the streets outside St Andrew’s Church in Burgess Hill as bangers drove behind his hearse.

Mr King, 51, was a household name in the banger racing community, which sees old scrap cars race around tracks.

His daughter-in-law Katie King said: “He was heavily into banger racing and he was for a long time so it was very important that was a part of the day for him.

“He had his coffin wrapped to look like his race car 206 and a lot of the boys he raced with over the years brought their cars down in respect and honour of him.

“So it was a little bit different but very much what Dave would have wanted.”

Mr King got into the sport as a young lad. He went on to win many tournaments including the English Championship.

His death has also attracted an outpouring of tributes from fans in the banger racing community, including one memorial group with more than 3,000 members.

Fan Steve Daubney wrote: “I have seen Kingy race some top material and entertain the crowds over the years.

“He was great guy and a nice guy to chat with. I will miss watching him and banger racing will never be the same without him.”

Another fan Graham Fox said: “I always remember watching him at Wimbledon.

“He was a great banger driver and great entertainer.”

In response to the heart felt tributes, Mr King’s brother Chris King wrote: “It has been comforting watching all the videos, photos and comments on here.

“Knowing how much he was loved by so many of you has been such a huge help.”

Mr King was born on February 2, 1966, at Cuckfield Hospital and lived in Burgess Hill.

The car hire driver met his wife in 1994 and they married in 2001.

He died on August 28.

He leaves behind his wife Claire and his five children Charlie, Austin, Pamela, Saskia and Michael.

Mrs King, who is married to Charlie, added: “He was a very funny, happy family man and he will be massively missed.

“I was very lucky to have him as a father-in-law.”

A fundraising page in his name has already raised more than £3,500 and the family hope to give the money to the renal unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton..

To donate to Dave King’s Just Giving page visit: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/daveking206