ONE of Bewdley Motorcycle Club's most popular and longstanding club members has died after battling leukaemia for eight years.

Ian Perkins, who was 62, of Shatterford, was a successful grasstrack racer. He regularly featured in advertisements for Duckhams Oil, which sponsored him during his racing career.

Geoff Brett, 73, president of the motorcycle club and his best friend for 45 years, described him as a "golden" club member who would be missed by everyone who knew him.

Mr Brett said: "He was an extremely generous, kind and generous person and a great friend. He had that wonderful gift to calm troubled waters whenever a disagreement broke out."

He said Mr Perkins grew up in Bewdley and started riding motorcycles at 16. He carried on racing until he was 35, when he became a salesman, selling sophisticated computer systems all over the world.

Mr Perkins celebrated 40 years of marriage to his wife, Anita, last April. He had three sons, one daughter and a grandson, Thomas.

Son Michael, 30, said people were coming from all over the country for his father's funeral and the family had received hundreds of cards from well-wishers.

He said: "He was a very cheerful man. The courage and dignity with which he dealt with his illness was an inspiration to many people."

He added his father was a great mickey taker, a quality which has been passed on to all his children. He was also a committed fund-raiser for Wyre Forest charities.

Michael, who is also a member of Bewdley Motorcycle Club, added "I went to the club after my father's death and people were very supportive.

"No-one would let me buy a drink. It's nice to know the Perkins family is still so welcome at the club."

The funeral takes place at Arley Village Church today at noon.

Donations will be split between the Millbrook Suite at Kidderminster Hospital and Kemp Hospice.