Tributes have been paid to a champion Cornish motorbike rider who died last month.

Neville John Tregembo was well known for his love of bikes, taking part in a number of hill climb races and even breaking 14 records in the discipline.

Known as Nev, the 62-year-old was described by sister Denise as "one of life's characters".

"He was lovely and had a very dry sense of humour," she said.

"He was well dressed and always presented himself well, you would never see him looking untidy."

Nev was born in September 1949 at Marazion Nursing Home to parents Winnie and John. Seven years later Denise arrived to complete the family.

Born and bred in Townshend, Hayle, Nev was a pupil at Leedstown Community Primary School before studying at Hayle Secondary Modern School and then Cornwall College.

When he left education, Nev took up an engineering position with J&F Pool in Hayle before moving to the Camborne School of Mines where he stayed for 38 years.

Beginning his time at the centre as a lecturer, Nev's final position was building and estate manager. He retired six years ago and moved to Newton Abbot with wife Rachel and his beloved dog Mollie who he spent great times with. Denise said that Nev's main passion was for bikes, having built his first Yamaha from scratch in his family home.

"He was always tinkering with things," she said.

"He was mad about bikes. When he was in primary school he used to go around riding an imaginary bike and making engine noises."

Lovingly called the 'red haired rider' because of the bright colour of his hair, Nev took part in his first official National Hill Climb Association event at Trengwainton race course in 1969.

He broke his first record in May 1971 at Predannack and went on to receive a trophy cabinet full of other racing accolades.

Jamie Mitchell of the association praised Nev's skills on a motorbike.

"He had a very impressive record in the championships, retiring at the top," he said.

Nev died on December 7, after suffering a heart attack at his Newton Abbot home.

A funeral service was held on December 15 at Torquay Crematorium.