Parkes lightweight 56

Walked into a local cycle shop on Saturday, the owner knows me well as being a fan of the vintage frames (i haz a px-10)

He mentioned that a salubrious old chap walked in an handed in an old Parkes lightweight complete with spares, as he was giving up cycling for good... The owner offered me the bike for £30!!

Does anybody know much about the Parkes bikes? is it rare? did it race back in the day? I have had a little gander and have found that they were part of sun cycles... but thats about it.

The Bike is in immaculate condition and has the words "100 mass start" on top tube, F C Parkes hand painted on the down tube. It also has some lovely nervex lugs and is definitely made out of 531.

Any info would be much appreciated.

ta

My Grandfather was Fred Parkes. I would say it's quite rare. They did have a race team in the 50's. The company was Sun Cycles based in Birmingham.
£30 seems a bargin.