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For those who want to get noticed in and around town there's only one form of transport you need. A fully customised praying mantis-shaped bright green motorcycle.

Unfortunately there's only one and it's not the best of rides - but it sure does catch the eye. The Mantis bike is one of Tony Buckingham's creations at Lucky Buck's Custom Cycles in Littleport.

Buck and Will with the Mantis

The green machine is the team's most elaborate contraption to date and has scooped awards at BMF shows in Kent and Peterborough - there'll be more to come as well.

"It's completely hand-built," says Buck, as he's known to his friends. "This has been totally locally made.

"They do take on a personality of their own, this one has been a very awkward girl to build. I won't say what we've called her on various occasions but she's certainly got a temperament."

Blood and tears

In fact, sometimes she bites back - as Buck's colleagues know only too well.

"A guy helping me unload the bike took a chunk out of his finger on the back mud guard and my wife did exactly the same. We've gouged lumps out of our faces and arms, I think the praying mantis is living up to her name."

Bikes have been ever present in Buck's life, his uncle got him into the thrill of riding when he was barely a teenager in the mid-1960s.

"He used to take me for rides on the back of his bike," he reminisces. "I used to ride down the local droves well before I was 16."

A 1950's style custom Harley

Buck, and his right-hand man Will, belie the stereotype of bikers... to a certain extent.

"I don't drink as much beer as I used to. I certainly don't indulge in things that are illegal anymore. My favourite music is rock music but believe it or not I do enjoy Abba."

Full throttle

That's as far as it goes though, Buck and Will are far removed from the Hells Angels stigma which hangs over bikers and they represent the majority of enthusiasts - normal fun loving guys who go weak at the sound of a roaring engine.

"It feels almost like it's replicating my heart only about 50 times louder. In a Harley Davidson the sound is very important."

A 1950's style custom Harley

Harley's are dotted around this small corner of Cambridgeshire - the place Buck calls home but also his workshop, each one different to the next thanks to a touch of artistic creativity.

Whether you love bikes or not, you're sure to get your engine revved in Littleport.

See photos of the bikes through the link below:

Listen to Buck talking about his bikes and then hear more about the Mantis below: