BMW apprentice Antony Dyer is revving up for a top national award after restoring a classic 1954 motorcycle.

The 19-year-old enthusiast has spend the last two years working on the BMW 25/3 - one of the most successful bikes of its era - in the garage of his Yarnton home.

Now Antony, who joined North Oxford Garage, Summertown, after leaving Gosford Hill School, Kidlington, is one of seven UK finalists vying for the coveted laurels in the fiercely-fought BMW Apprentice Project Competition.

He has already beaten off his regional rivals to be invited to the finals presentation night at The Sherringdon Park Lane Hotel, London, on November 23.

The keen moto-cross rider, who gained his interest in biking through his Triumph-riding father, decided on restoring the bike as the final stage in his four-year apprenticeship.

He tracked down the BMW bike to Somerset after spending weeks pouring over adverts in Classic Bike Magazine. In the end he paid out £970 for the box-full of classic parts.

Now, after spending £4,000 of his own money and two years of his own time, the gleaming bike has rolled out, road legal.

Even though his BMW parts department can still surprisingly supply various bit and bobs for the 25/3 model over the counter, Antony needed some special help and advice from restoration specialists Crowmarsh Classics, of Didcot.

They helped him add a little bit extra shine to the spotless paintwork and chrome.

Even before the awards are handed out, Antony already has his eye on an old Norton that could do with a little TLC...

Story date: Wednesday 03 November

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.