A WATER-COLOUR painting of a famous motorcyclist by a former Bolton man is set to swell the fund in his memory.

Joey Dunlop -- the top international racing ace killed in a race in Estonia in July -- has been immortalised on canvas by David Heaton (pictured with the painting).

Mr Heaton, a 47 year-old teacher and aviation artist, raced against Dunlop in the early stages of his illustrious motorcycling career in the mid-'70s.

He was deeply moved by the incident that claimed the life of the racing legend, and decided to paint a picture in his memory.

"Joey received the MBE and OBE for services to motorcycle racing and single-handed humanitarian missions to war-torn sectors of Eastern Europe," explained David, whose parents still live in Bolton. "He was a multiple TT race-winner and seemed to have leapt out from the pages of a '50s 'Boys Own' annual."

Now, David's large, impressive painting could boost the Joey Dunlop Fund by as much as £200 when it's sold.

It can currently be viewed for a limited period at the Characters Original Art Gallery in St Georges Craft Centre, St Georges Road, Bolton.