MOTORCYCLISTS keen to get a first glimpse of a new museum in Silloth were queued out of the door.

Silloth Motorcycle Museum, founded by local biking legend Jim Snaith, welcomed its first visitors on Good Friday.

The former Isle of Man TT champion decided his collection was wasted sitting in his garage and set about transforming part of his mother’s home in Esk Street, in which she used to run as a cookware shop and women’s clothes shop.

The signs only went up the night before but the vast personal collection, which has been added to by others in the town, has been carefully placed.

The exhibition pays homage to the history of Silloth’s race track which existed between 1961 and 1982 and once hosted a British championship meeting attended by thousands of people.

It comprises of almost a dozen bikes, including Jim’s Honda CB450 Black Bomber 1965 - which he won the Scottish Championship on in 2006 - along with racing leathers, photos, newspaper cuttings and the medals and trophies he won during an impressive 40-year career.

“It has been a lot of hard work but it has been brilliant,” said Jim. “I retired through ill health and was at a loss what to do. I thought it would be nice to have a little bit of motorbike attraction in the town.”

Jim, 62, added that it meant “everything” to have British sidecar champion Rob Fisher officially cut the ribbon.

The pair met at the Isle of Man TT in the mid-1990s - Rob was racing and Jim was a marshal - and have remained good friends.

Rob, of Cleator Moor, who won 10 sidecar races at the TT, said of the museum: “It’s fantastic the amount of bikes and memorabilia he has got in such a small area. It’s beautifully set out. Jim and the team have put a lot of time and effort into the place.”

He added that it was great to see such a good turnout.

As many as 100 bikers had a ride out in the sunshine to show their support.

Keith Tinnings, 68, and five friends rode out from Workington. The 68-year-old, who has been a biker for 52 years and owns a Triumph T120, said the motorcycling community is very friendly and supportive.

“Everyone has come to support the local people. It’s another addition and somewhere for the visitors to go. Cumbria has to rely on the tourists.”

Bobby Wishard, 86, lives across the road from the new attraction and has lived in the town all his life.

“It’s nice to see it open,” he said. “It brings a bit of life to the place.”

Mayor of Silloth Tony Markley added that it was a “fantastic achievement for Silloth and for Cumbria.”

Entry to the museum is free but Jim plans to use donations to grow and change the exhibition. It’s also hoped it will become a meeting point for the motorcycling community.