Can you ride this? (From Barry And District News)

Can you ride this?

A TRAVELLING street entertainer disappointed at missing June's hugely popular Barry Festival of Transport may make an appearance at the massive Waterfront Weekender in September.

Tom Walker, a 65-year-old Londoner who now lives in Florida, USA, claims that he can ride a bicycle nobody else in the world can.

He approached the organisers of the festival, which was held on June 12 and 13, but was too late to be included in the line-up.

His daughter Brenda Perry, 43, owns Budget Beater furniture shop on Holton Road. She said: "My father is well known throughout America for being able to ride a child-sized bike that no-one else can.

"He wanted to bring it to the Waterfront Weekender at the beginning of the month, but he was told that this was not possible, which was a real shame.

"Colonel Tom entertains everyone with his show - it's great for children - and for those adults brave enough to rise to the challenge."

Performing under the name of Colonel Tom, the novel entertainer is a flamboyant showman. He told the News: "Nobody, but nobody, can ride my crazy bike. It has two wheels just like any other bike but I am the only person in the world who can ride it.

"I've taken the bike all around the world to London, Paris and Las Vegas - but I've yet to find anybody who can do it."

Cliff Nelson, Festival Organiser, said: "We had a last-minute approach from Colonel Tom about appearing at the Festival of Transport but unfortunately it was too late to include him on the line-up."

Shining Star UK Ltd's Angela Boffey, who is a member of the Waterfront Weekender organisation committee, said: "We are sorry we were unable to accommodate Colonel Tom this time around but hopefully we can find space for him on our September bill if he wants to come back."