Jeremy McWilliams unveiled a blue plaque yesterday in honour of a Co Down inventor who revolutionised motorcycling.

Hillsborough man Richard ‘Rex’ McCandless (1915-1992) was an avid racer and created the game-changing featherbed motorcycle frame in 1949.

The Ulster History Circle’s memorial, in partnership with the Ulster-Scots Agency, was unveiled by race ace McWilliams at WAC McCandless Engineering Ltd on the Limestone Road in north Belfast.

Ian Crozier, chief executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency, said: “Rex McCandless was a talented individual and a great role model not only to the people of north Belfast, but also to the people of Ulster.

“We want to help share his story, as well as the stories of many other great Ulster-Scots through our initiative ‘Ingenious Ulster’.”