The friends of Michael Morrell, the Basildon car fan killed in a road accident, say the most fitting tribute is to hold a regular car cruise in his memory.

But setting up a regular event is proving difficult.

Mr Morrell, 24, of Frettons, died in hospital after a crash in Long Riding in February.

Shape of things to come - cruisers who turned out in force for Michael's funeral want a regular event

He spent most weekends at Southend seafront enjoying cruising, but campaigned for a legal cruise to be set up locally.

For his funeral, hundreds of cars made the journey to Southend Crematorium in convoy. Now his friends want to set up a lasting tribute.

They also want people to understand cruisers are not to be confused with boy-racers.

With his partner of seven years Sally-Ann Barrett, he spent most of his time caring for his four-year-old son Joshua, who is believed to suffer from Asperger's Syndrome - a condition similar to autism.

His mother Vanessa said: "I don't want people to think he was just another bloke on a motorbike. He wasn't a boy-racer who would ride around and do nothing. He was a big shiny star, a colourful character. He loved music, he loved life, he loved Sally and he loved Josh."

Friend Andy Clark, 29, of Rochester Way, Basildon, has organised legal cruises before.

He said: "Michael fought and fought for legal cruises. This is something we have to do for him."

He is appealing to the council and landowners for somewhere to hold the event once a month.

Mr Morrell's friends are willing to become marshals, parking attendants and security for it.

Basildon Council has not ruled out the possibility of such an event.

A spokeswoman said: "This is not so straight forward that we can say yes or no over the phone. We suggest whoever wants to organise this writes to us and details whatever they have in mind."

Published Tuesday, March 26, 2002