A RARE wartime motorcycle is to go on display at a vintage car rally later this year.

The Royal Enfield 125 motorcycle, also known as the Flying Flea will be shown at the annual Classics on Show, organised by the Rotary Club, in Stokesley, North Yorkshire.

The motorcycle, which played a role during key Second World War events such as D-Day and Arnhem, was built between 1939 and 1941.

Earning its name, the Flying Flea was used to convey messages to troops behind enemy lines.

Phil Meadows of Eston, near Middlesbrough, who owns the wartime vehicle said: “It is a legendary vehicle and deserves a lot of respect – as a means of transport it was dropped behind enemy lines by parachute or carried in gliders, to quickly carry messages and signals between airborne and assault troops where radio communications were not in place.

"I look forward to showing it to visitors at Classics on Show who can get up close and personal to this heroic piece of engineering.”

The motorcycle will go on display at the Classics on Show's NAAFI cafe on Saturday, June 15, between 10am and 4pm, at the Showfield near the town centre. Visitor entry is £6, or £14 for a family ticket.