A MOTORCYCLIST from Westhoughton who died riding along the Isle of Man TT course was travelling at 100mph when he hit the back of a car, an inquest heard.

Father-of-three Shaun Watkinson, aged 55, was riding his BMW S1000 along the Mountain Road on the Isle of Man on June 2 when he collided with the rear of a Citroen C4 being driven by a local man.

Tragedy struck while he was enjoying a motorbiking holiday with nine friends, collectively nicknamed The Wild Dogs and all from the Bolton area.

The inquest into his death was opened by the High Bailiff's office at Douglas Courthouse in the island's capital Douglas on Thursday.

A post-mortem examination confirmed Mr Watkinson died from massive blunt force trauma, predominantly to his head and thorax.

Coroner John Needham released Mr Watkinson's body to his family so funeral arrangements can take place and adjourned the inquest to a date to be fixed while investigations continue.

Westhoughton born and bred Mr Watkinson, who lived with his family in Wharfedale in the town, worked as a technical project manager at security firm G4S.

Many bikers visit the Isle of Man each year to ride the same course used by the TT races and to take advantage of unrestricted speed limits on certain stretches of road.

Mr Watkinson's wife Lesley previously told The Bolton News as part of a tribute: "It was a shock.

"He was a careful and competent rider.

“He had been on that track lots of times."