THE funeral of 20-year-old Shane Maughan who died after a car crash in Burnley is taking place.

A large-scale funeral procession is taking Shane, who was from St Helens, and mourners to the Crematorium around midday.

Motorists have been warned that the procession, which includes a horse drawn limousine, a horse drawen flat truck and 11 other limousines, will lead to disruption.

Merseyside Police will step up presence in town, particularly the Sutton area, and drivers are warned traffic flow may be affected

A police spokesperson said: "Neighbourhood police officers will be on duty on Tuesday to support the local authority during a large-scale funeral procession in the Sutton area.

"The procession is expected to involve large numbers of vehicles and people on foot and the police have been working with the council and funeral directors to ensure measures are in place to minimise disruption to the public and keep all road-users safe.

"Motorists intending to drive in the Sutton area on Tuesday afternoon should expect some disruption and are advised to check with the local authority for the latest traffic information."

A source said: "This is going to be a huge funeral for the traveller community. There will be a horse-drawn limousine, a horse-drawn flat-truck and 11 more limousines."

St Helens Council is urging motorists to avoid the Sutton area, particularly around St Helens Junction.

Commencing from St Anne & Blessed Dominic Roman Catholic Church at 10am, the procession will first circle around the Junction area before making a larger circuit via Robins Lane, Marshalls Cross Road, Mill Lane and Reginald Road, where the procession will stop temporarily, causing further possible delays. The procession will then complete the circuit, re-entering the Junction area via Helena Road.

From there, the cortege will head towards St Helens Cemetery and Crematorium via Robins Lane, Scorecross, Linkway, Kirkland Street, Dentons Green Lane and finally Rainford Road.

The funeral directors state that some of or the entire route will be completed on foot, which could take up to three hours. Motorists should expect potential disruption on Rainford Road when the service at the Crematorium finishes at 4pm.

Cautionary messages will be displayed on the Variable Message Signs (VMS) along the route reminding motorists to take care and remain patient.

In November, Shane was driving a silver Ford Mondeo which collided with a black taxi on Manchester Road at about 1am.

According Burnley and Padiham Police, he sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene, despite efforts by police officers to save his life.

The driver of the taxi, 48, sustained injuries to his chest and legs and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital. Two taxi passengers - women aged 58 and 38 - received head injuries.

The case was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as a matter of routine after the Mondeo was spotted by a police officer on Rossendale Road before the crash, but no link was found between Shane's death and the actions of police officers.

Merseyside Police has asked us to point out that a helicopter pictured above the funeral cortege earlier today was not connected to the force and was in the area on an unrelated matter. 

Our reporter Paula Morris is following the funeral cortege.

Here are a selection of her Tweets: