A procession of 18 lorries hit the highways this weekend in fitting tribute to a much-loved colleague - causing traffic chaos on the last Saturday before Christmas.

Thundersley trucker John "Geordie" Starkey (OK) died suddenly from a heart attack on December 10. He was 34.

In memory of him, his colleagues and other drivers who knew him met to drive in convoy along the A13 to the Blackwall Tunnel.

Colleague and close friend of 12 years, Michael Gibson, 29, said the morning was very emotional. He said: "Geordie was like a brother to me.

"We felt we had to do something for him. He died so suddenly. His dad left him at three o'clock sitting up in the hospital and he died two hours later. He was only 34 so it makes you realise how short life is."

Mr Gibson, from Benfleet, led the procession from Rayleigh Weir to the Hadleigh roundabout and along the A13.

Hundreds of cars using the A13 backed up behind the trucks as shopping centres experienced one of their busiest days of the year.