Around 50 leather-clad bikers descended on Wootton Bassett High Street at the weekend.

The riders were repretenting Wiltshire's Royal British Legion Riders Branch who are dedicated to raising awareness for the Poppy appeal whose slogan 'Serving those who Serve', emphasises the increasing need to help the men and women who are serving today, as well as ex-Services and dependants.

Bill Hayley, Wiltshire representative for the Riders Branch said: “Our branch is one of the most pro-active units.

“We have members from all the forces and have to date put 2,000 bikes on the road in order to hail these charitable causes.”

The bikers, who had come from all over the country, had been invited to the town for the event, which was organised in their honour by the Mayor of Wootton Bassett to officialise their cause.

Mr Hayley added: “Locals tend to be suspicious of big hairy bikers when we ride through but with the invitation many people came and spoke to us and asked us about what we were doing and why we were doing it.”

The Riders Branch is keen to attract motorcyclists and supporters from throughout the UK, Ireland and abroad and are brought together by their enthusiasm for motorcycling, and willingness to support the aims and charitable efforts of The Royal British Legion.

Wiltshire's Branch has kept busy with a recent event in Lyneham on August 8 and have future events booked in including a ride along the A303 on September 5 in aid of the charity Starlight which aims to raise money for sick children.