THE funeral of teenage motocross rider Liam Taylor will take place this weekend.

Liam, 19, of Chard, had signed for the Taunton-based Oakleaf Kawasaki motocross club shortly before his death on December 18.

He died at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol from injuries sustained in a crash in Station Road, Ilminster, the previous evening.

The former Holyrood Academy student’s funeral will be held at St Mary’s Church in Chard at midday on Saturday (January 5).

Liam was a member of the Oakleaf Kawasaki team run by Shaun Anthony, of Taunton.

Following Liam’s death, Mr Anthony posted a tribute to him on the internet which read: “In November it was confirmed that Liam would represent the team at the South-West Premier for 2013.

“Liam was a very talented rider, and would always be pushing his limits with his amazing jumping style and ambitious style on the track.

“Our thoughts are with his family and we hope he is racing with the angels.”

After Liam’s death his sister, Della Wilkinson, told the County Gazette: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of support we’ve received.

“The flowers left at the scene are testament to how much Liam was liked by people.”