THE funeral of a popular teenager who was killed in a motorbike smash will be held today as police issue a further plea for information into how he died.

Hundreds of mourners are expected to attend St Matthew’s Church in Little Lever to say goodbye to Joshua Entwistle.

The 18-year-old, a former Little Lever High School pupil, was riding a green Kawasaki motorbike which crashed with a black Citroen C2 in Bury and Bolton Road, Radcliffe, just before 10pm on Tuesday, April 12.

Mr Entwistle, of Grosvenor Street, Little Lever, suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene — which was between Bradley Fold Road and the Ainsworth Arms pub.

Police are still appealing for witnesses to the crash to come forward and help officers with their inquiries.

A service will be held at the church in Market Street at 11am, which will be followed by a private burial elsewhere.

Mr Entwistle’s stepbrother, Adam Whitelaw, aged 19, paid tribute to “the most kind-hearted person ever”. Following his death, Mr Whitelaw said: “He always had a smile on his face and he made everyone happy. He just enjoyed life.”

Mr Entwistle’s friends are organising a football match to be held in Mytham Park, Little Lever, on Sunday, May 1, to raise funds in Joshua’s honour — with a charity yet to be decided — and anyone can take part in the match.

A sponsored walk through the streets of Little Lever was recently held to raise cash for the chosen charity.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “Police are continuing to appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who was travelling on that road before the collision and saw the distinctive green motorbike, to come forward and call the road policing unit on 0161 856 7201.”