Tragic biker's charity appeal.

A TEENAGER killed in a motorbike smash will be laid to rest this week.

The funeral of 19-yearold Conor Barton will be held at Pelton Trinity Church, in Pelton, County Durham, at 11.30am, on Friday. Conor died when the stolen motorbike he was riding pillion on smashed into a flatbed lorry parked amidst roadworks on the A1, near Gateshead, almost two weeks ago.

His 24-year-old friend, who was driving the bike, is still in a critical condition in hospital. Police believe neither of them were wearing helmets at the time. Conor's heartbroken family have asked mourners for donations in lieu of flowers, which will be split between the charity Bike Safe and a memorial fund.

His dad Paul, 43, paid tribute to his son.

He said: "He was no angel and he had been in bits of bother before but he had turned a corner. He was looking for a job and learning to drive. It's just such a waste."

Conor lived with his grandma Joyce, in Perkinsville, near Chesterle-Street, County Durham. The 83-year-old brought him up after his mother split from Paul when he was a baby.

He remained close to his father, who lives with fiancee Kate in nearby Pelton, and became a protective older sibling to step-brothers PJ Clennell, 14, Kris Barton, three, and Kai, 18-months.

Joyce added: "He would have tried anything just to get a wage. He wanted to do anything and everything. He applied for lots of jobs but never heard back.

"He loved his rap music and he had his decks in the house. He had started writing lyrics and said he wanted to be a DJ.

"Conor did everything for me around the house."

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