THE TT has got the ultimate endorsement from one of the biggest heavy metal bands in the world.

The races are mentioned in the artwork for the Iron Maiden’s upcoming UK tour, meaning thousands of rockers are going to be wearing a T-shirt with a plug for this year’s TT on it.

The band’s iconic mascot, Eddie, is featured on board a Triumph motorbike haring down the motorway, below an airship bearing the TT logo and giving the dates for this year’s festival.

Closer inspection also reveals a Manx cat jumping for cover as Eddie powers the bike away, while someone looking a lot like lead singer Bruce Dickinson is thumbing for a lift on the other side of the carriageway.

The T-shirt also includes a plug for Iron Maiden Trooper, the award-winning beer produced by Stockport brewery Robinsons.

Peter Hickman, who finished fourth in last year’s RST Superbike TT and will compete this year, rides the ’Trooper Triumph’, sponsored by the band’s beer.

It’s not the first time Britain’s biggest heavy metal band - famous for songs such as The Number of the Beast, Infinite Dreams and Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter - has given the Isle of Man special treatment.

In a previous year, to help promote Trooper beer, the ale was rebranded as TTrooper beer in the Isle of Man. The famous ’Trooper’ image of a soldier Eddie waving the British flag was adapted to show him holding a Manx flag.

The Department for Economic Development, which earlier this year had a row with Bushy’s over the use of the TT branding, confirmed the T-shirt had been approved.

Rob Callister, DED member with responsibility for motorsport, commented: ’Iron Maiden is one of the biggest rock bands in the world and it’s exciting to see their support of the TT and investment in its competitors.

’Their upcoming arena tour will definitely give the TT a boost of publicity ahead of this year’s races as they reach thousands of concert-goers.

’The department continues to carefully monitor the use of the TT brand and trademark and agreed the use with all concerned parties prior to the creation of the T-shirt. ’