A LIFELONG Bradford City supporter has lovingly restored a scooter in his team’s claret and amber colours in tribute to the 56 people who lost their lives in the Valley Parade fire disaster.

Mick Frost, 33, bought the Vespa in March last year and was intent on carrying out a custom restoration.

The previous owner was ex-forces and the scooter was kitted out in the Prince of Wales Own Regiment of Yorkshire livery – a near match to the Bradford City colours.

And in another poignant twist, Mr Frost discovered the scooter was registered in 1985, making him even more certain that the restoration should commemorate those who lost their lives on May 11, 33 years ago.

It took around two weeks to complete and underwent a complete respray and includes touching nods to the club. One image portrays the City Gent mascot holding a flag bearing the message ‘Always Remember the 56’, as well as the number 56 on different parts of the scooter’s body.

Mr Frost, an electrician and assessor at City Training Services, said: “I know a lot of people that were there on the day. The day of the fire, a lot of my family were there.

“It’s always something Bradford City remembers.”

He says it has been described as a “fitting tribute” and fans from other football teams have also praised it.

MORE TOP STORIES

“I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out,” he said. “It will be out there for others to see.”

Mr Frost plans to use the machine on the road, but also show it off at scooter events.

The restoration took around two weeks and the father-of-two received help from several people, including Miles Mitchell, a friend from the Mountain Eagles Scooter Club, Pride Design and Print, plus Gatch Airbrushing.

The club crest plaque which stands on the backrest was provided by John Murphy, who Mr Frost knows through speedway.

Mr Murphy’s late father-in-law Daniel Marlow was a metal fabricator who had the crest cut to check the ability of modern cutting technology.

It stayed in Mr Murphy’s garage for five years until he decided to put an appeal out on Facebook for someone to take it for a small charity donation.

Mr Frost came forward and the crest now sits as a proud addition to the scooter.

Today marks 33 years since the fire, in which 56 people, including two Lincoln supporters, died and many others were injured.

A remembrance service will take place at the Bradford City Fire Memorial sculpture in Centenary Square, starting at 11am.