A couple from Alsager recently featured on a classic car TV show where they bought a "bigger" motorbike and sidecar to accommodate their little dog Dexter.

Bangers and Cash is a TV programme about the Mathewson's family auction business in Yorkshire and their passion for classic cars.

The Mathewson family search for rare vehicles to sell and they uncover some "remarkable" and heart-warming stories behind the vehicles.

The TV series can be watched on UKTV's Channel. The first episode of series four featured a couple from Alsager and a star-studied appearance from their dog throughout.

Even though they arrived "way too early" on the day for the next Mathewson auction, Roger Malpas and Sue Hugill with their Parson Russell Terrier dog Dexter had already set up camp nearby in their motorhome.

The couple were selling a classic BMW motorbike and sidecar. The combination was a 1979 BMW R80 that was "seamlessly" paired to an "unusually stylish" sidecar.

Mr Malpas said: "I have always had motorbikes all my life, but I have never ridden a motorbike sidecar, so I thought this sounds like a bit of a challenge."

In the early stages of the couple's relationship, they did route 66 across America, which was 2,300 miles on a Harley Davidson, but along then came little Dexter who changed everything.

Mr Malpas added: "The motorbike and sidecar seemed like a good idea then."

But unfortunately, Dexter was "barking mad" about the sidecar not being big enough for him to lie down.

Roger and Sue decided they needed to find an alternative bike with a more "dog-friendly" sidecar.

Deciding to sell the BMW motorbike and sidecar made Sue "really upset" because it did have a "special place in her heart".

The motorbike and sidecar were priced at £3,500 upwards and the couple were hoping for "good things" in the Mathewsons auction.

Ex Vulcan bomber engineer Chris Thompson and his partner Celia Boyes from Hessle, near Hull, purchased the BMW R80 for £4,550.

But it was the "elegant" sidecar that won the couple over.

Chris said: "The aesthetics of it [sidecar] are I suppose a bit like a spitfire wing, people that know nothing at all about a spitfire would look at it and say, 'oh that looks nice'."

Celia said: "When I first saw the bike it just seemed to be something that was waiting to be bought. It was just lovely to look at.

"I don't know if you can call a sidecar beautiful, but I felt that it was."

The previous owners Roger and Sue decided to buy a new and "even bigger" motorbike and sidecar much to the delight of Dexter. The pair purchased a 900CC Triumph Thunderbird in pacific blue.

They also have a matching "top of the range" Watsonian Grand Prix 700 custom-built wide-bodied sidecar.

Sue said: "I love this bike even better because there is more room for him [Dexter] and he can actually sit beside because there is a double sidecar."

Roger said: "This one has got a lot more weather protection with it. Not so much about Sue, but Dexter will be protected from any element."

Sue added: "I really feel comfortable and really safe in it. It puts a smile on everybody's face."

Roger said: "He [Dexter] would be very disappointed if we went out in the bike and sidecar without him. He expects to come with us all the time now."

It was back in 1893 when a French newspaper offered a prize for inventing an alternative method of carrying a passenger on a motorbike.

French army officer Jean Bertoux "nailed" the sidecar design and they have not really changed since.

You can watch the Bangers and Cash episode online.