ANDY Bonner - Basingstoke's very own British and world powerlifting champion - is set to take part in a regal procession to mark the Golden Jubilee.

Andy will zoom along The Mall towards Buckingham Palace on his BSA motorcycle with 49 other bikers - each representing a year of the reign of the Queen.

He will take part in The Golden Jubilee Festival of Parades and Pageant in The Mall, which will be televised on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old father-of-five, from St Thomas Close, said he is looking forward to the whole ceremony. He expects to ride down The Mall at 3pm on his lovingly-restored and slightly-customised 1969 BSA 650 Lightening motorbike.

But he only got his place by chance. After visiting Greenford, in Middlesex, for a school reunion, Andy decided to visit the nearby London Motorcycle Museum.

He said: "Chatting to the guy there we realised that the owner of the museum was the man who used to MoT our bikes when we were kids living in London.

"As we were about to leave, they had a phone call from somebody pulling out of the run, and they offered me the place."

A chuffed Andy is now busy getting his bike in tip-top condition for the occasion.

He said: "It's one of those things you have to say yes to, isn't it. It's not going to happen again - it's a once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing.

"I am proud to be part of it and I am proud to be British."

The 50 motorcyclists in the parade are raising money for Kidscape, a charity that tackles bullying in schools. To sponsor Andy, call him on 01256 363581.