THE funeral of a motorist killed when the Porsche he was driving burst into flames after colliding with an electricity sub-station was due to be held today.

Father-of-one Michael Ettridge, aged 32, of Bentley Street, The Haulgh, died instantly in the horror crash in the early hours of Tuesday November 12.

The soft-top Porsche 944, belonging to his mother Barbara, careered off Blackburn Road, in Sharples, and hit a bus shelter before ploughing into the sub-station.

Mr Ettridge's close friends Craig Dawson, aged 20, of Hill View Court, Astley Bridge and Ricardo Czutkowna, aged 29, of Tonge Moor, were also killed.

He leaves a nine-year-old son Liam. His partner of 10 years, Karen Morton, described the keen martial arts expert as a "free spirit" who would live in their hearts forever.

A funeral service for Mr Ettridge was due to be held at 1.30pm today at Bolton Parish Church, Churchgate, followed by interment at Tonge Cemetery.

The funeral of passenger Craig Dawson is to be held at 1pm tomorrow at St Paul's Church, in Astley Bridge, followed by interment at Heaton Cemetery.

Mr Dawson, a close friend of Mr Ettridge and keen on martial arts, was about to move to Australia with his sister Lisa and her fiancee before the tragedy.

His mother Jill Holmes, aged 42, said: "I miss him so much, we all do.

"He was a laid back, kind boy who would have done anything for anyone."

Mr Czutkowna's funeral was held on Tuesday at St John's RC Church, Bromley Cross, followed by interment at Tonge Cemetery

A police investigation into the tragedy is continuing.