A devoted TT and Manx Grand Prix visitor, who first watched the races in 1956, has come over in a cracking ride.

At the age of 86, Barry Robinson travelled solo from his hometown of Watnall, Nottingham, in a sidecar based on the well-loved animation series Wallace and Gromit.

What looks like a massive chunk of cheese attached to a motorcycle has the words: ’Warning! This cheese contains a nut’ and ’If this sidecar has made you smile, why not buy the rider a cuppa?’ Wallace and Gromit are pictured in a sidecar themselves.

Formerly an old, black vehicle belonging to his second eldest, Colin, he asked if it could be ’smartened up’.

’I didn’t know anything about the theme. I thought it was going to be plain colours,’ he said.

’On the evening before heading off I hadn’t got the outfit [sidecar] and I was feeling nervous.

’My children said "come outside dad" and this thing comes round the corner and it’s Wallace and Gromit! I thought it was cracking.’

His vehicle has been met with delight here, with cups of teas being offered and photos being taken of both him and the sidecar. This, he said, will be an MGP experience he’ll never forget.

He was first introduced to the island’s racing scene - starting with the TT - by his late wife, Mary, who he was dating at the time.

’In those days it was popular to come for the day to see the senior race. In 1957 it was the golden jubilee so I came over with the wife and friends for the week,’ he said.

A particular highlight of over the years was seeing racer Bob McIntyre break the first 100mph lap in 1957. However, his all-time favourite racer to watch was Geoff Duke.

’The way he raced was so stylish. He was so smooth like he was part of the bike,’ Mr Robinson said.

Bringing up four kids made it difficult for the pair to make trips over. It was not until his wife sadly passed away that he decided it was time to come back in 2000 to watch the Classic TT and MGP.

Describing the TT, he said: ’It’s like the Mount Everest of motorcycling racing. Everybody that races knows there’s a risk like they do climbing Everest. They know what they’re doing and they accept it.’