Dave Cassidy was forbidden from buying a 350cc motorcycle because his late father feared he would get himself killed.

But Mr Cassidy has finally got his way - even though he is now a 61-year-old grandad.

And he reckons waiting decades to get his hands on a 1962 Triumph, the machine of his dreams, has been well worth it.

Mr Cassidy, who lives in east Cleveland, said: "When I was 16, that make of bike was just out and I loved it then. But the old fella said I couldn't have it because it was too fast. He only let me have a 250cc BSA."

During a visit to a classic bike show several years ago, Mr Cassidy saw the old object of his desires on a stand.

"I never thought I'd see one of those again and I made my mind up there and then that I would get one."

He answered an advertisement in a magazine which took him to Scotland, and returned £1,450 poorer, but with the bike which he has since lovingly restored.

He will display his bike at the Teesside Classic Bike Show, organised by Redcar and Cleveland Council at the Redcar Bowl, in the east Cleveland resort, on Sunday, October 6.