Bikers in festive gear for funds

About 150 people took to the streets of Telford for an annual Christmas motorcycle run raising money for charity.

Yesterday's event organised by Bugsplatz Motorcycle club started and ended at Wylie & Holland Motorcycle store in Wellington.

It was the 10th time the event has been held.

Barry Tillotson, town mayor, went along to give words of support as people on motorbikes, quad bikes, trikes and scooters set off on the 28-mile route at noon.

They had all given a £2 donation, which will go to Hope House Hospice and First Response.

Members of the public along the route also gave money as the convoy passed by.

Sarah Harrison, club secretary, said today: "It went really well. There were no major incidents just a couple of people had a few little slips.

"I would like to thank West Mercia police, who escorted us around, and Wylie & Holland where we started and ended."

She said numbers were down on last year, but the weather had meant that fewer people were able to get to the event.

Mrs Harrison said icy conditions had meant some residents were left disappointed after the convoy was advised not to go down certain roads.

Bikers taking part also dressed up with Father Christmas, an elf and a gorilla amongst those jumping on their bikes.

Mrs Harrison added: "I would like to thank everybody who came out and supported us on the streets and want to apologise to those expecting us to come down their road. But because of safety reasons we could not go down all the small estates."

The amount of money raised by the motorcycle club, which is planning another fundraising event at Easter, is still being added up.