A MAN suffering from a brittle bone disease is to be one of the guests of honour at the world's biggest classic car show.

Mr James Edwards, of Middleton One Row, is the proud owner of a 1966 Alvis TF21. He is taking his car on the "holiday of a lifetime" to America, for a special tour of the States by Alvis owners.

Mr Edwards, purchasing director for builders' merchant J Atkinson and Sons, is hoping to use the trip to raise some cash for research into the disease that is affecting his bones.

The 45-year-old suffers from osteoporosis, a condition that makes bones brittle and disintegrate.

"It's rare in someone as young as 45, but I've got it," he said. "It's basically your bones crumbling away. It is usually found in women in their old age."

He is looking for sponsorship for an osteoporosis research facility on Teesside.

"It seemed such an ideal opportunity to try and raise funds for such a good cause," he said. The fundraising was kicked off by his bosses with a generous cheque.

"The trip has been organised by the Alvis owners' club. There are about 95 cars going from Britain, including at least one of every model of Alvis ever made."

Club members will drive 3,000 miles around the north-eastern states of America in a three-week tour. The itinerary includes a civic reception in Baltimore, travelling up through the Blue Ridge Mountains to Niagara Falls, then back down the American coast.

On the way back, the club is to be the guest of honour at the biggest classic car show in the world.

Mr Edwards' purchase of an Alvis six years ago fulfilled a childhood dream.

"I think my passion for them comes from seeing the Duke of Edinburgh driving around in one when I was a little boy."

He added: "The car gets shipped out next week from Consett with three other Alvises from the North-East, and I follow it in September. I can't wait."

To sponsor Mr Edwards, write to The Laurels, 2, The Front, Middleton One Row, Darlington, DL2 1AP, or tel 01325 333652.