SUPERBIKE hero Neil Hodgson revved up to the church on time to wed his very own girl on a motorcycle and said: "This is scarier than racing at Brands Hatch."

Former British champion Neil married sweetheart Kathryn Hoare, of Gisburn Road, Blacko, at Whitewell Church in the Trough of Bowland yesterday.

But as the organist struck up for the service, Blackburn's four-times World Superbike champ Carl Fogarty arrived in the slow lane -- the biker who had to quit when he was seriously injured in a track spill three years ago rolled up on crutches.

Neil, from Burnley, and Kathryn, an air hostess with Virgin Airlines, had to brave a torrential downpour as they posed for photographers after the service, and Neil said: "Today is definitely scarier than cornering at Brands Hatch. But it's a great guest list. I'm thrilled so many riders came."

Carl, who joined other star guests in the picturesque church, revealed: "I was playing about on a motocross bike in Wales a couple of weeks ago and I fell off. And it's actually the most painful injury I've had.

"I must be a glutton for punishment."

Bikes and racing have been a way of life for the Hodgson family for years. Neil was just eight when his parents, Mark and Maureen, bought him a schoolboy motocross bike. By the time he was 16 he ready to swop it for a 125 Honda racing bike -- and after just three weeks Neil was better than dad, who was a roadracer for six years.

The Hodgsons managed to raise enough cash to go all over the world with their son as his racing reputation grew, but Maureen admits she still gets nervous when she watches her son in action.

"He's moved to the Isle of Man and I really miss him," she said.

"But Kathryn is lovely and she is super for me because we stand there clinging to each other at races, and when she first came along I suddenly had someone to talk to about the side of the racing that scared me.

"We scream and shout when he comes past and I'm sure other people think 'Look at those two mad women' but we do enjoy it."

After a reception at The Inn at Whitewell the couple were leaving for a honeymoon in Thailand. After that, Neil will return to wedded bliss -- and the pursuit of glory on the World Superbike circuit.