A CHOPPER-MAD Rossendale man is hoping to get the 1970s cult bikes back on the road -- when he launches a club dedicated to the bikes.

Retro bike enthusiast Anthony Kurtis, is hoping to revive the once-fashionable bikes by starting up a website and club.

And the commercial vehicle salesman plans to share his passion with like-minded collectors so people will have the means to buy, sell and trade spare parts via the club.

Anthony, who lives with his wife Carmelita and his two sons, Anthony, 21, and Andrew, 10, in Grane Road, Haslingden, has been collecting the Choppers for the past three years.

He has seven in his collection so far, but is keen to accumulate more and meet other fellow enthusiasts.

There are five Chopper varieties, a Mark I, Mark II, a 5-Speed, a Special Edition Silver Jubilee Chopper and a Sprint.

Anthony said Choppers are used as pieces of art in contemporary homes -- but wants to ensure they are kept in use for their true purpose.

Mr Kurtis said: "I know of some people who are putting them on walls and using them as art, which is just crazy. They were made for riding and that's what they should be used for.

"I know there are lots of people out there who have them, but it may be that they have them locked in their garage or shed and haven't used for many years.

"We want to bring them back to life and share our interest with other like minded people."

Anthony organises a Chopper rally that takes place every year in Hebden Bridge.

He added: "It has become quite popular over the years. We trade spare parts and show our bikes at the rally and would like to extend this to having a Rossendale-based Chopper Club, where people can trade parts to do up their choppers.

"There are national websites, but there aren't any local sites, so this is why we are keen to do something like this."

The Choppers vary in price from £50 up to hundreds of pounds for a Chopper in mint condition.

He is hoping to have a website up and running by the end of the year and create enough interest to start up the club.

Anybody interested in Choppers and wants to become involved in the club should contact Anthony on 01706 831816.