A group of Dorset bikers are speeding ahead with plans for a ride through West Bay to raise money for charity.

Open Air Riders South West is supporting the ride which will raise cash for Clouds House, the Shaftesbury branch of Action on Addiction, which helps those with addiction problems.

Organiser John Bramble, 54, from Chickerell, launched the project on November 7 and explained the cause is close to his heart as he lost his son Craig to solvent abuse on the same day in 2001.

He said: “It was a huge loss to the family. I wish we had known the signs [of substance abuse].

“Clouds House do a great job, what they do is absolutely amazing and it’s really important to keep that going.

“They help youngsters and adults get their lives back and give them the skills to help them rejoin the community.”

Mr Bramble said: “Another rider wanted to do a charity ride for her 50th birthday. Someone we know started work at Cloud’s House, so I started to look at their work.

“It’s all gone from a chat after a ride to this event. The riders are planning to leave the Granby Industrial Estate in Weymouth at 10.30am on March 29, and will be stopping off in West Bay at Helmet City for refreshments before completing their 60-mile journey with their arrival on the seafront at Exmouth.

Mr Bramble said he is asking participants for a minimum donation of £5 per bike but is also selling special T-shirts for the event for £2 each.

He said: “I’m hoping to raise around £1000 but even £700 would be good.

“I have sold over 50 t-shirts and more than 100 people have provisionally signed up for the event.

“We are also opening the event up to any car drivers that want to join the ride.

“Even if people don’t want to take part in the ride, if they want to donate they are very welcome,” he said.

Mr Bramble passed his thanks to Helmet City and East Devon District Council for allowing the use of a car park.

For more information or to donate, visit the event’s Facebook page on.fb.me/1E6R8eK