THE family and friends of Evesham motorcyclist Simon Andrews have been paying tribute to him by getting a tattoo of his race number #17.

Mr Andrews died on Monday, May 19, two days after crashing and suffering fatal injuries during the North West 200's Superstock race in Ireland.

Ever since tributes have been made to the racer by his legions of fans, his friends and his family, some of whom have decided to get a permanent reminder.

His mum and sister are the two closest to him to get a tattoo of the number 17, which was favoured by Mr Andrews as his racing number.

Terry Fuller, of Full On Ink, Evesham, who tattooed Mr Andrews twice, carried out the tattoos and also had one for his friend.

He said: "I met him years ago, about 10 years, prior to having my shop," said Mr Fuller. "I got to know him properly when I tattooed him about five years ago.

"We also met at a race track when I started racing. I did his tattoos, he became a customer and then a friend, we clicked."

Mr Andrews had two tattoos with Mr Fuller, an SA with wings on his wrist and a larger one on his arm made up of writing and phrases with meaning to him.

And Mr Fuller says it's fitting that his family sit in the same chair for their tattoos in his memory.

"I spoke to him a couple of days before he died, so it was the same day hearing about it. I tattooed his sister that day with number 17, I need to do the # in front now. I am tattooing his mum as well with #17. It is fitting and it's an honour.

"Other people have mentioned it to me as well."

A range of other tributes have been made to the racer, whose website said he was aged 29, after his accident, which happened as he was approaching the corner of the fourth lap.

Mr Fuller said he was racing over the weekend when they observed a minutes silence for his friend.

"It was quite hard to race but I know he would have wanted me to do it," he added.

A fundraising site has also been set up at gofundme.com/9dowl4. The page, set up by Paul Shoesmith, sells stickers saying, Simon Andrews Unstoppable Seventeen, and has already raised £15,950.

On Facebook a lap of honour has been arranged at the TT Grandstand in the Isle on Man on Sunday (June 1).

It will take place at 3pm and see a minute of applause followed by a minute of revving engines in memory of the racer before the lap of honour.