MOTORCYCLISTS from across the country were expected to attend the funeral today of inspirational motorcycle designer, builder and racing driver Len Vale-Onlsow.

Tributes have been pouring into L H Vale-Onslow Motors Ltd since his death on Friday, April 23.

Aged 103, Mr Vale-Onslow lived at Hallow, near Worcester, and died at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, after a brief bout of pneumonia.

Bikers were expected to form a procession from the family business in Stratford Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, to St Agatha's Church, 110 yards away.

A video of Mr Vale-Onslow's appearance on the television programme This Is Your Life, which was recorded just before his 100th birthday, was also expected to be shown at the service, which was due to take place at 12.30pm.

Peter Vale-Onslow, aged 65, said there were plans to display one of his father's motorbikes as a tribute at the new National Motorcycle Museum, Bickenhill, when it re-opens in January 2005.

Mr Vale-Onslow set up shop in Hallow, in 1927, where he made his world-famous Super Onslow Specials, and moved back to the village around 70 years later, to Parkheath retirement home, in Heath Close.

In 1995, he was made an MBE in the New Year Honours for lifelong services to the motorcycling world.