A MOTORCYCLE enthusiast has been rubbing shoulders with sporting legends after taking an emotional trip round the TT.

Frank Kay finally rode his restored 1955 Manx Norton Mead 250cc -- the only bike of its kind in existence -- at the Isle of Man races after months of mechanical tweaking.

His hard work paid off when he was honoured by the best of the best at the medal presentation including Lancashire's legend in the Isle of Man TT Geoff Duke, 81, South African world champion Jim Redman and John Surtees, the only man to win both motorcycle and car world championships.

Frank, the owner of Framar, in King Street, Blackburn, was also touched by the number of coincidence surrounding the big day which he dedicated to a friend who tragically died of cancer.

Frank, 50, averaged 50 miles per hour round the course, and 50 years ago in 1954 the race was won by Ray Amm, competitor number 93 on a Norton -- the same as Frank's entry.

Frank spent four months restoring the engine and various parts until it was ready for racing. He hopes to raise £500 for charity in memory of good friend, and noted motorbike restorer, David Livesey who died of cancer in 2002, aged 57. David, who was from Darwen and a co-owner of Furniture Technique in Blackburn, loved the race and the sport.