A memorial motorcycle ride for a well-loved Trago security guard who died unexpectedly on holiday in September is being organised by a former colleague.

The inaugural Michael Smith Memorial Rideout will take place on Sunday August 4 setting off from Events Square at 10am.

Jon Hilton, deputy manager at Trago Falmouth and an old colleague of Michael 'Smithy' Smith's, said: "We worked with Smithy for years in Trago. You will never hear a bad word said about the bloke, he was just a really nice guy."

Michael was a keen motorcyclist. Jon said: "He was quite good as well, he was a lot faster than me. I don't know whether it was because he didn't have a care in the world."

He tragically passed away in his 40s whilst on holiday in Greece in September 2018 after a night out.

Jon said: "Everybody at work, we have all got a funny story about him. Me and the security bloke were chatting about him the other day just having a laugh.

"We don't want to forget people like that. We want to give him his moment in the sunshine."

Jon fondly remembers Michael's "offhand way with customers," saying: "We never knew what he was going to do next to be honest, he was such a constant source of surprise and amusement.

"The only thing to compare him to was a big daft dog, he always came back wagging his tail. We could tell him off and it wouldn't bother him.

"He was a lovable oaf. He was a good lad."

Since Jon started advertising the event, several people have been in touch "out of the blue" to help organise things, including the South West Riders marshals who have offered to marshal the event for free.

Jon said: "It's a nice community round here, the biking community."

The ride will be held in August rather than September in order to avoid clashing with the Martin Jennings Memorial Ride in Falmouth.

Riders are asked to contribute £3 for bikes and £5 for pillions to be donated to a charity of Michael's parents' choosing.

More information about the route will be published nearer the date. Anybody wishing to help with organising the event can get in touch with Jon by emailing hilton171263@yahoo.co.uk or contacting him on Facebook.