A MOTORBIKE ace from East Lancashire was killed today while practising for the TT races on the Isle of Man.

Professional biker Mick Lofthouse, 28, of Dudley Avenue, Oswaldtwistle - a good friend of World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty - died after losing control of his 250cc Yamaha at the coastal resort of Milntown.

He was just 23 miles from the start of the first lap.

Carl Fogarty's wife Michaela today said she was shocked by the news.

"We both knew him well. He was a good friend of Carl's and had rung him up last week to ask if he could borrow some special racing gloves off him for the TT."

Carl is in Japan and earlier today was unaware of Mick's death.

Mick, who was single, is the third person to be killed this week following the death in a separate accident this morning of New Zealander, Rob Holden, and of sidecar passenger Aaron Kennedy of Warwickshire.

He was a former Manx Grand Prix winner and was once watched by thousands of people when Grandstand televised the H E A T Supercup 125 cc Championships at Mallory Park, when he finished third. He was also involved in the closest ever finish in TT history when he lost the 125cc race by 0.6 seconds last year.

At a thrilling finale in Brands Hatch two years ago, Mick won the British Championship after a dramatic wheel-to-wheel battle.

He said afterwards: "I rode a careful race and did just what I needed to without getting tangled up with other riders."

No other vehicles were involved in the accident around 5.30am today.

An Isle of Man police spokesman said: "We're not sure what happened at this stage.

"Milntown does not have very sharp bends but there are a series of quite bad swoops.

"The coroner has been informed and a full investigation is underway."

The organisers of the world-famous event, the Auto Cycle Union, said: "We offer our deepest sympathy to Mick's family and friends."

Fans killed on way to races - see separate story.

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