A family has paid tribute to an Isle of Man TT races enthusiast from Gresford who died at the age of 87.

Malcolm Roberts sadly passed away on December 26, 2022, and his family said he had an “amazing” send-off in January which included a motorcycle sidecar hearse.

Malcolm was born on High Street, Gresford in 1935 and had made many annual trips with his friends to the island to watch the Manx and TT Races so his family thought it was fitting that he took his last ride in a side car of a Suzuki Hayabusa.

The family said that Malcolm had completed his National Service with The Kings Dragoon Guards in 1955 and the following year met Betty, who he married in 1957, while working in Tysley, Birmingham.

The couple then moved back to Gresford in 1963 and went on the have a son Dean and two daughters, Tina and Jacquie.

Last year on March 30, Malcolm and Betty celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary and received a card from the late Queen.

The Leader: Malcolm Roberts and his wife Betty Malcolm Roberts and his wife Betty

During their long and happy marriage they regularly visited their daughters in California and Dubai and in total have five grandsons, one granddaughter, four great grandsons and one great granddaughter.

Malcolm spent his final years at Cherrytree Care home in Coedpoeth with Betty.

The family said that they would like to thank Roberts Bros Funeral Directors for conducting such a “fabulous funeral” and “to all family and friends who attended and who kindly donated to the Royal British Legion”.