A painting of TT legend Mike Hailwood has been presented to Manx National Heritage for display in the Manx Museum.

The painting, by resident artist Paul Parker, was on loan to the Hailwood Foundation from Ken and Hilda Roberts, who originally purchased the artwork in the 1980s.

At a special gathering at the Museum on Thursday 19th March, the painting was presented to Manx National Heritage Chairman Martin Moore MBE by Adrian Earnshaw MHK, who is Chairman of the Hailwood Foundation.

Mr and Mrs Roberts both attended the presentation, where they were joined by Suzuki rider Cameron Donald.

Summing up Mike Hailwood's extraordinary tally of racing wins, Mr Moore paid tribute to his "unique contribution to road racing" and said that he expected the painting to be highly popular with visitors to the Museum during TT fortnight.

Now retired, Mr and Mrs Roberts used to run Cliffside guesthouse on Castlemona Avenue and then Knowle House on Broadway; it was in the latter guesthouse, Hilda Roberts explained, that their painting was displayed, and received much attention from racing fans.

Pictured (l-r): Mr Adrian Earnshaw MHK, Mr Ken Roberts, Mr Cameron Donald, Mr Martin Moore MBE and Mrs Hilda Roberts.  Photograph by John Caley.