An annual motorcycle ride in Dorset raised over £8,000 for charity on the weekend.

The ride for DocBike took place on Sunday, September 25 and saw over 400 bikers from across the UK embark on either one of two routes which both ended at the Henstridge Airfield near to the Dorset/Somerset border.

The 35-mile route began from the West Bay Esplanade in Bridport while the alternative shorter journey started at The Churchill Arms in Alderholt.

Dorset riders Dr Ian Mew and Critical Care Paramedic Mark Williams led separate convoys through Dorset’s country roads in idyllic weather autumnal conditions for biking.

On their arrival at the destination, cyclists were greeted by crowds at the airfield as well as live music a from The Hardcore Troubadours, and an array local stalls all raising funds for the charity.

Dr Ian Mew, Co-Founder and Trustee of DocBike was grateful for the support of this year's event. He said: “Whilst this event helps to raise much-needed funds for the charity, the support for what we do from the motorcycling community and beyond means so much more. Motorcyclists are statistically the most vulnerable road users, being 56 times more likely to be killed per mile travelled than when in a car.

“The work of the charity to reduce motorcycle collisions whilst being able to provide life-saving critical care to anyone who needs it (not just motorcyclists), forms the cornerstones of our work and we are immensely grateful to every person and organisation across the county for their unwavering support.”

The charity extended its thanks to all the riders who took part, the businesses that donated raffle prizes; Bridport town council, The Churchill Arms in Alderholt and Henstridge Airfield owner Geoff Jarvis, for hosting the start and finish points of the event, and lastly the team at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

DocBike is an injury prevention charity who put highly trained trauma doctors or critical care paramedics on two bikes to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads due to motorcycle collisions.

Their riders work alongside local emergency services to provide life-saving roadside critical care as well as working at a national level to help to prevent motorcycle incidents from happening.