TRIBUTES have poured in from all over the country for a 'true stalwart' motorbike racer from South Lakeland.

Alan 'Bud' Jackson, from Kendal, was involved in a crash last Thursday during a practice race for the Classic TT on the Isle of Man.

He was taken by air ambulance to Noble's Hospital after the accident at the Creg Ny Baa and his condition was described as 'critical'.

However, a statement posted on the Isle of Man TT Facebook page on behalf of the Manx Motor Cycle Club confirmed that he died last Friday.

Since the news was announced, numerous tributes have been posted online in memory of the 62-year-old.

A spokesperson for the Manx Motor Cycle Club said: "Alan was a very experienced competitor on the TT Mountain Course. He made his debut in the 1979 Manx Grand Prix and has four race wins to his name – the 1986 MGP Junior Race, the 1991 Classic Lightweight MGP, the 1995 Classic Lightweight MGP and the 1998 Classic Lightweight MGP as well as six other MGP podiums.

"He also competed in the TT Races and had a highest finish of fifth place in the 1990 Ultra Lightweight TT."

The spokesperson passed the club's 'deepest sympathy' to Mr Jackson's wife Elaine, son Paul, daughter Emma and his 'other family members and friends'.

And the Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club offered its 'sincere condolences' to Mr Jackson's family and friends.

"Bud was a true stalwart of the road racing scene, having raced at national and international level for many, many years. Always a joy to have in the paddock and will be very sadly missed by us all," a spokesperson for the club said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jackson family at this very hard time. Rest easy Bud."

During his career Mr Jackson won four Manx Grand Prix Races - one junior and three classic 250 races.

He lapped the course at 114.34mph and his TT results included 21st in the 1998 Lightweight (winning a bronze replica), 24th in the Lightweight and 18th in the Ultra-Lightweight at the 1999 meeting.

In 2000 he took home three bronze replicas for 21st in the Formula One, 10th in the lightweight 250 and 21st in the senior category.

Stevie Rial, editor of Road Racing News, wrote that Mr Jackson was a 'true mountain course stalwart'.

"Hugely respected, a great ambassador for road racing, extremely talented and a huge inspiration to multiple prospective future mountain course participants, the genuine article," he said.

Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club, the North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club (Tarmac Section) Ltd and The Marshals Association of the Ulster Centre of the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland also all posted condolence messages online.