CHARITIES have benefited from a share of £14,000 thanks to the generosity of people who turned up to Rossendale Valley Motorbike Show.

Bike enthusiasts hailed the September show a success, with the organisers dishing out the largest amount of money raised since the show's existence.

The funds were boosted when Rawtenstall Chamber of Trade gave an extra £1,600 from proceeds not used from the 2002 distribution.

Rawtenstall was packed for the event when around 60,000 descended on the Valley to watch the free entertainment provided by trial bikers in Daisy Hill, stunt riders in Bocholt Way, mini-moto at Asda and bands in Bank Street.

Show president Fred Tolley thanked the show's sponsors with the show's administration director, Peter Laidlaw, paying tribute to the team of 30 volunteers who give up their time each year to help make the event such a success.

The presentation evening at Haslingden Cricket Club saw 30 charities, both local and national receive a share of the money.

As an extra boost, Matthew Davies, a former pupil at Helmshore Primary School, and Rachael Jordan, a pupil at Fearns, were announced as the winners of the T-shirt design competition. They both received art kits and their school's received a scanner and software on behalf of NCS Support Services of Cloughfold.

Retiring chairman Tony Winder said: "I would like to thank everybody for supporting the bike show over the 11 years."