A popular motorbike enthusiast died from carbon monoxide poisoning after he took a portable gas heater into his tent to keep warm at a festival.

Kenneth Chaplin, 63, was found dead in his sleeping bag during a bikers’ rally in north Wales.

An inquest into his death heard he took a small gas heater into his tent at night during cold weather.

A coroner delivered a verdict of accident death, but issued a stark warning over the dangers of gas heaters.

Mr Chaplin, of Dialstone Lane in Offerton, was a well-known and respected member of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability, based in Urmston.

The former engineer died at a campsite at Nant Gwynant during motorbikers’ weekend the Dragon Rally in February.

The inquest in Caernarfon heard there was a ‘biting wind’ as Mr Chaplin retired for the night.

Coroner Dewi Pritchard-Jones said: “I have dealt with far too many of these carbon monoxide on campsite deaths.”

He said cases were linked to insufficient ventilation and warned portable appliances shouldn’t be used in confined places as a form of overnight heating.

Mr Pritchard-Jones added: “I am certain before the year is out I will have another death of this type. It’s all very unfortunate.”

Stockport was brought to a standstill as more than 400 motorcyclists rode to Mr Chaplin’s funeral service in convoy.

Rick Hulse, 53, a close friend and chairman of the NABD, said he was left with a disability after suffering a stroke and an accident at work.

Paying tribute, Mr Hulse said: “If I was to sum him up in three words it would be gentleman, biker and friend. He was a true gentleman and everyone’s friend.

“He would travel great distances to pick someone up if they broke down and travelled the world to ride – which was his passion. He was a very well-loved character and well-known on the motorbike scene. He has been sorely missed and always will be.”

The association is now raising money to buy a bike in Mr Chaplin’s memory which will be used by disabled people for training and tests. For details visit www.nabd.org.uk.