THE biker who was killed in a road crash at Millom has been named as Michael Iveson, of Lindal-in-Furness - a distant cousin of the former US presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Michael Iveson, of School Terrace, Lindal, 66, died at the scene of the collision between his motorcycle and a car on the A595 at Whicham Valley, near Millom, at 3.30pm on Sunday.

Yesterday, the dedicated biker was described by his family as ‘a mad keen bike fanatic’ and charity fundraiser.

In a statement, they said: “Mike Iveson from School Terrace, Lindal tragically lost his life today, Sunday 30th March 2014, doing what he loved most; riding one of his treasured motorbikes. A mad keen bike fanatic from the age of 16; if he wasn’t riding motorbikes he was fixing his own or helping others fix theirs. The rest of his spare time was spent touring around the country in his caravan with his wife Pauline.

“He could always be found going to classic, vintage bike shows and was known in motorcycling circles as ‘Triton Mike’.

“Over the years he has raised thousands of pounds for the Rosemere cancer foundation based in Preston.

“He retired due to ill health some two years ago after 20 years working for the civil engineering company P J Lambeth & Co.Ltd, Flookburgh.

“Two years ago during the American presidential election campaign, Mike briefly became an international celebrity as he is a distant cousin of the presidential candidate Mitt Romney, TV crews from as far away as Sweden came knocking on his door for an exclusive interview.

“As well as Pauline, Mike leaves behind two sons Ian and Mark, daughter in law Sharon, Mark’s partner Raphaelle, and grandchildren Kayleigh, Sophie and Robert. “ Anyone with any information about the collision should call Cumbria Police on 101 and ask for PC 259 Ian D'Arcy of the Operational Support Unit at Ulverston, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.