MOTORCYCLE racing legend Geoff Duke, who was born in St Helens, has died at the age of 92.

Described as the sport's first true superstar, Duke, who won six world titles, made his name at the Isle of Man TT, dominating the event in the 1950s when he recorded six victories.

Born in St Helens on March 29, 1923, he passed away on Friday at a nursing home in Douglas, on the island where he achieved greatness.

He was still revered as one of St Helens' greatest sporting figures and was made a Freeman of the Borough in 2000.

Today tributes poured in from across the motor sport world and his status as a racing legend was underlined by the story being circulated globally by news agency Reuters and reported by titles such as Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport.

Motorcyle News wrote that Duke was "a man who transcended the confines of a relatively niche sport to become a household name".

He was voted Sportsman of the Year in 1951 by the British public and was awarded the OBE in 1953.

He retired from the championship in 1959 after 33 grand prix victories

Duke, who Star archives state was from Eccleston, was also known as a stylish racer and was credited with being the first rider to wear one-piece racing leathers.

News of his death was filtering out today across the town of his birth.

Star reader Brian Hughes, was among those to pay tribute.

In a message to the Star he wrote: "Geoff was surely worth a place in St Helens history. RIP Geoff; a true champion and and true gent."

Readers who have shared memories off Duke in Star nostalgia pages down the years say he would make test rides along the East Lancashire Road and owned a motorcyle shop on Greenfield Road.

He reportedly served as a motorcycle despatch rider during World War Two and then took up road racing.

Share your memories of Geoff Duke by emailing news@sthelensstar.co.uk