MORE than 850 bikes and trikes headed to Dawlish for the annual event to raise money for the armed forces which has been described as the ‘best yet’. 

The Armed Forces Bike and Trike Show, which co-incided with Merchant Navy Day, gives bike enthusiasts a chance to show and talk about their bikes and meet other bikers. 

At the same time, this year’s event raised more than £4,500 for armed forces charities. 

Organiser Paul Power said: ‘A massive thank you to Dawlish Town Council, the Mayor and all the committee members for allowing us to have show for another year on the Lawn and what a year it was our best one to date.’

Paul also thanked the traders who turned out in support.

He continued: ‘One a hell of a lot of work goes into this one and when it works and all comes together it certainly is a good one.’

Band Spam provided entertainment and Mayor Cllr Rosie Dawson presented trophies to various competition winners. 

The total raised from donations, bike show entries, stall holder donations, show class entry fees, other sales and competition, was £4,609. 

Paul said: ‘It was an absolutely amazing day thank you to all of you wonderful people that supported us hopefully see you all again next year.’

The Armed Forces Bikers is a national motorcycle charity which aims to help former serving members of the armed forces in charitable need as a result of injury or other harmful experience suffered during their service, to resettle and rehabilitate into civilian life, also to relieve the needs of former members of the armed forces and their dependants.