BY day, Fred Tolley works as an architect, concentrating on grand designs.

Wearing a suit and sitting behind a desk in plush city centre offices, the 54-year-old doesn't look like your typical biker.

But he's only one of a growing army of motorcyclists who are shattering the illusion that biking is all about hairy, tattooed men in denims.

Fred, president of Rossendale's prestigious Motorbike Show which takes place tomorrow, says it's the thrill of the open road which attracts him, and so many other professionals, to the world of motorbiking.

The architect technologist travels to Manchester every day using either his Honda Blackbird or his Kawasaki Z1000.

Fred, a father-of-four, who lives with his wife Viv, a teacher at Alder Grange High School, Rawtenstall, said: "I often turn up to work drier than people driving their cars.

"All kinds of people ride motorbikes, from doctors to dentists. It's just so exhilarating on the open road. I wear a suit and tie for work, and at the end of the day just pull on my biker suit."

Fred, of Saunder Close, Crawshawbooth, is among riders from all over the country revving up to take over Rawtenstall for the 12th annual show.

Last year's show attracted 60,000 people, and raised £14,000 for local and national causes.

Ride-ins will leave Sherburn-in-Elmet, Devil's Bridge, Rivington Barn, and a vintage ride-in from Britannia Inn, Blackburn, from 10am. They are set to converge on Winfields, Haslingden, for the grand parade leaving at 11.30am.

An open-top bus will give guests a bird's eye view of the show, which boasts the Straightliners stunt team, the X--treme trials display team, burnouts, vertical jumps, wheelies and freestyle stunts.