A NORTH-EAST motorcycle enthusiast still goes out for a ride three times a week, despite turning 80 this year.

Walter "Wally" Dalton, from Eastgate, near Stanhope, County Durham, regularly takes his Honda 650 Deauville out for a spin.

But his real passion lies in trial biking - riding up and down steep muddy hills, through rivers and over rocks and obstacles.

He has three off-road bikes - a Montesa 4RT, a Scorpa SY 250 and a 1961 Triumph 246 Cub and is trial riding in Scotland next weekend.

Mr Walton, chairman of the Weardale and District Motor Club, said: "It is not about the speed but purely and simply about the skill.

"There is also a great sense of comradeship among riders. They are a great set of lads and I know people all over the world from riding."

Mr Dalton still works, transporting light haulage all over County Durham and Northumberland whenever he is asked.

But biking is his great love, and he has ridden motorbikes all over England and Scotland, as well as the Isle of Man, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Spain.

He took part in the Scotland six-day trial, the biggest of its kind in the world, 21 times between 1966 and 1981, finishing 18 times.

Mr Dalton has a cabinet full of trophies as a reminder of all of the competitions has taken part in.

He said: "I was never an ace and have always been an enthusiast. But I think friends of mine who no longer ride might be a little bit jealous that I have not given it up.

"That decision will be made for me, but I will always be interested in it until the day I die."

It has not all been easy riding. In 1968, he broke a bike in two. He has suffered broken arms and legs and numerous cuts and bruises during his 56 years in motorcycling, but it has never dampened his spirit.

Mr Dalton said: "It is all very different these days. You have got to wear a crash helmet and all over the protective gear, which I hate. In my day, you had a waterproof suit, wellington boots and a flat cap."