Fundraising efforts for new statues went up a gear after a charity motorcycle ride.

The Silent Soldier ride took riders across more than 80 miles of Dorset countryside and all in the name of charity.

The route saw biking groups such as the Weymouth and Portland Bikers start from The Crown Inn, Bridport, and saw a stop at the Bovington Tank Museum before a return to Bridport.

As part of the commemorations for the centenary of the end of the First World War, the statues will remember the six soldiers from West Bay who lost their lives.

They are Robert Buckler, William Gape, Herbert Gush, Richard Glare, Frederick Hoskins and Alfred Oliver.

The installations will stand in Harbour Green from November 1 until November, 5 before being placed in the new Discovery Centre at West Bay.

The funding will go towards purchasing the statues, which cost £250 each.

Brian Eley took part in the event in memory of the fallen.

Brian said: "I do various charity motorcycle runs during the year, but this one is special as it is a one-off tribute to the fallen."

The run made £250, enough money for one of the statues.

Philip Wright, who took part in the event, said: "During the course of each year we attend several motorcycle rides which help raise thousands of pounds for local and national charities, however this is the first one where we raised money for a local commemorative statue.

"The weather was damp and pretty miserable but we still had 23 stalwarts turn up and complete the ride.

"Some club members are ex-service, currently serving or have family and relative serving, and most have some relation who took part in the First World War, so to have our club associated with those who served and died in the war is a great honour."

In buying the statues, the money raised will be distributed to The Royal Foundation, Walking With The Wounded, Combat Stress, Help for Heroes, Project Equinox: Housing Veterans and Medical Students, and the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.

One of those to benefit, the charitable wing of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, is also acting as the educational lead for the campaign.

A spokesman for the charity said: "We will be spearheading the campaign's educational programme, creating education resources designed to get younger generations, born nearly 100 years after the outbreak of the First World War, to understand the sacrifice made by British and Commonwealth men and women. "That is what out foundation is all about, the commission is about physically caring for the war graves and memorials of our war dead, the foundation allows us to do outreach, volunteering and engage in that work and the act of remembrance."

To find out more information about the There But Not There silent soldier statues, you can visit therebutnotthere.org.uk