Faster pastor's hearse power

The Rev is revving up to start his new service

Motorcycle-mad minister Paul Sinclair has built what he has hailed to be the world's fully enclosed sidecar hearse.

The cleric, who has been nicknamed the Faster Pastor, said the vehicle will go into service in just over a week's time.

The former Glasgow shipyard worker explained that the sidecar, which is attached to a Triumph Speed Triple motorcycle, has enough room for a large coffin and flowers on top.

I know I'm being very light-hearted about this, that's in my nature, but I do a lot of funerals and I'm doing this because I care about folk

Rev Sinclair

He got the idea from other bikers who over the years have tried to give their friends a more fitting send-off and has set up his own website, motorcyclefunerals.com.

He said: "The service isn't just aimed at bikers, it's for people who are a bit different. People get carried off in horse-drawn carriages and they've never been on a horse.

"But I have to confess there is something a bit sad about bikers being carried off in the back of an estate car."

Rev Sinclair, who now lives in Whitwick, in Leicestershire, said he has fitted a fan to stop condensation from flowers and from wind chill, when the bike is travelling at high speed.

He said: "It's also handy if I have to take somebody a long distance on a hot day. It keeps the body a bit cooler."

Sole rider

The Elim Pentecostal Church minister stressed that the hearse would only be used for funerals and was not suitable for getting his wife about.

He revealed that the hearse will be unveiled officially at the Kensal Green Cemetery Open Day on 13 July, where there will be a parade of hearses.

He told BBC Scotland: "I'm hoping it will be made 'Hearse of the Year' and then it will be available for use."

The minister stressed that he will be the sole rider of the hearse.

He said: "I would definitely drive it for two reasons; one is I love driving and I feel it's really my ministry now to help folk and secondly it's not easy to get insurance for a motorcycle hearse."

Rev Sinclair stressed that there is a serious side to what he is doing.

He said: "I know I'm being very light-hearted about this, that's in my nature, but I do a lot of funerals and I'm doing this because I care about folk."