A MEMORIAL bench to honour legendary Hanoi Rocks drummer Razzle, who died age 24 in a car driven by Motley Crue singer Vince Neil, is to be installed at Holy Cross Church, Binstead, this weekend.

Razzle, real name Nick Dingley, died in 1984. In his youth, his family moved to Binstead. He was buried at Holy Cross Church.

Razzle's mum, who organised the funding of the memorial bench, turned to his former bandmate and best pal Matt Kellett to liaise with the church and oversee the project.

Matt said: "It’s taken a while. Nick’s mum Trish had very definite ideas about the design of the bench and there was a lot of church protocol, so we had to go back and forth– as it had to be a certain size and width and so on.

"Fortunately we had a lady called Hillary from the church who was onboard with us from the start and who helped get the thing through.

"It’s a beautiful corner of the churchyard. Nick knew this place well.

"We came to the Island just before he went on his last tour in the States, and we happened to come in here and have a look round.

"Being a local lad, he knew this churchyard and pointed out a smuggler's grave with a strange inscription to me. The next time I was in here it was for his funeral.

"We used to rehearse at his folks' place, which was just round the corner, so it’s a great place for a memorial.

"The bench will be installed and dedicated and we’re going to have a small memorial service in the church as well.

"Fans still come from around the world to leave flowers and messages and now they’ll have a place to relax and reminisce."

A biography of Razzle was published last year and is available from Medina Bookshop in Cowes.

Razzle’s bench will be installed along with a memorial service on Sunday at 2pm.