Tributes have been paid following the death of two Purple Helmets.

Steve Young, who lived in Kerrowmoar, Sulby, and was one the original line-up of the Helmets, died suddenly on May 4 at the age of just 62.

And Nigel ’Chunk’ Fallows, who was described as a ’bedrock’ of the team, died on May 16 after battling illness.

A keen offroad enduro motorcyclist, Steve Young frequently competed in the mid to late 1980s.

When a gang of like-minded Manx enduro pals got together to provide a side act on their trusty Honda 90s for Steve Colley’s stunt show, Steve was one of the original nine Purple Helmets that performed their very first show at the vehicle testing centre in TT week 1995.

Their shows became a much-loved part of entertainment at the TT.

Purple Helmet Steve Collins said he was ’gritty rider, a calculated man and brilliant engineer’, whose skills were used to help manufacture all sorts of bizarre contraptions for the Helmets’ shows.

He said: ’One of his major tasks was to connect a hang glider to a Honda 90. This he did successfully and little bike and "pilot" headed to Jurby airfield. It did take to the air, even if it was only the once (we think air traffic control banned it!).

’Steve was also the first team member to adapt a nitros oxide system to his Honda 90. He did make "speeds approaching 100mph" until all that extra power blew the bottom end out of the poor thing.

’He will be sorely missed. The Helmets have lost a great friend, talented rider and all round good guy.’

Steve leaves a wife Sarah, two children and two grandchildren.

His funeral takes place Douglas Borough Crematorium tomorrow (Friday) at 1.15pm

The Purple Helmets have also said goodbye to one of their finest team members, Nigel ’Chunk’ Fallows, who lived in north Lancashire.

They posted on Facebook: ’Chunk was a bedrock of the Helmets, instantly recognisable with his mischievous grin and a laugh that carried for miles.

’Seldom in life do you ever meet someone faced with such illness who absolutely refused to accept it.

’Chunk’s positivity in the face of such adversity is truly mind-blowing.’

They said Chunk had been a fantastic friend to many people, an amazing husband to Lyndsey and proud father to Jenna, Megan and Jordan.

Chunk’s funeral will take place at Beetham Crematorium in Cumbria on May 28.