Dozens of bikers joined a funeral procession for an Ipswich man found dead in a river in August.

Ipswich Star: Joe Pooley, from Ipswich, who was found in the River Gipping Picture: SUFFOLK CONSTABULARYJoe Pooley, from Ipswich, who was found in the River Gipping Picture: SUFFOLK CONSTABULARY (Image: Archant)

Joe Pooley, aged 22, was found around 10.30am on Monday, August 13 in the River Gipping near London Road in Ipswich.

Hundreds of people attended his funeral on Friday, October 12, including a honorary guard of motorbikes which formed part of the cortege that travelled with the hearse to the Seven Hills Crematorium in Nacton.

At the ceremony his mother, Sam Nicholls, read a poem that she had written herself.

Part of the poem read: “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do or give up what I own, to have you walk back through the door or hear you on the phone.

Ipswich Star: The funeral of Joe Pooley in Ipswich Picture: ARCHANTThe funeral of Joe Pooley in Ipswich Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

“And now you’re finally at peace, I just want you to know, I love you and miss you everyday my beautiful boy Joe.”

The funeral procession left Felaw Street just after 1.30pm with a horse drawn hearse accompanied by at least 40 bikers and cars carrying Mr Pooley’s family.

The cortege made its way through Ipswich and into Felixstowe Road where friends and family had gathered to pay their last respects.

The funeral began with one Mr Pooley’s favourite songs, Evanescence’s Bring Me to Life.

Ipswich Star: Bikers rode out in memory of Mr Pooley Picture: ARCHANTBikers rode out in memory of Mr Pooley Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Several tributes were read out, including one from Mr Pooley’s former headmaster, Roger Mackenzie, who described him as “full of love.”

Mr Mackenzie said: “Joe had what I would call complex learning difficulties,

“He had to work very hard for his success, the success he earned was different to another girl or boy.

“But he left school having passed all of his exams.

Ipswich Star: The funeral of Joe Pooley in Ipswich today Picture: ARCHANTThe funeral of Joe Pooley in Ipswich today Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

“He was full of love and he just wanted acceptance.

“I know that Joe will be greatly missed by everyone and behalf of the school and the staff we offer Joe’s families our sincerest condolences on this very sad day.”

The ceremony finished with Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds and See You Again by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth.

Police arrested a man and a woman, both aged 28 and from Ipswich, on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident.

Ipswich Star: The funeral of Joe Pooley in Ipswich today Picture: ARCHANTThe funeral of Joe Pooley in Ipswich today Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

They have subsequently been released under investigation while a 36-year-old woman from Ipswich, arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, was also released.