A RECORD 25,000 visitors roared into Rawtenstall for the town's annual Motorbike Show - making it the biggest of its kind in the North and probably the largest annual event in East Lancashire. Its popularity seems to know no limit, doubling the number of visitors from throughout the country in two years.

This year, the show - the fifth annual event - took over the town, with streets jammed with parked and queueing cars, traffic hold-ups and hundreds of bikes.

Special guests included Superbike racing heroes Carl Fogarty, Neil Hodgson, Steve Berry and Dave Coates.

Valuable machines lined up for display in Bank Street, a cauldron of activity as '60s rockers rubbed shoulders with the new-blood generation of bikers, displaying more leatherware than a tannery.

Rock bands hammered out a backcloth of beat as visitors enjoyed the wall of death feature, racing simulator, the mass of motorbike accessories on offer and best bikes competitions. Refreshment vans and litter bins struggled to keep pace with demand.

Beer gardens and pavements outside pubs were packed as the sun shone brightly.

This year the show took over Whittaker Park, which featured Minimoto racing, a trials arena display and the Bacup Coconutters.

The Astoria ballroom was open all day, featuring trade stalls, tattoos and body-piercing, culminating in a tattoo competition.

The show was organised in association with the British Motorcyclists Federation, Lancashire Road Riders and local trade and social organisations.

Show chairman Tony Winder, was delighted with the event and praised the enthusiasm of the organising committee and support of the volunteers, sponsors and council officers, who, he said, had made the show the success it was.

Although it was impossible to say how great a financial boost the show had given the many traders who opened all day, he expected it would be substantial.

"It was a magnificent show, which was good for biking and good for the town," he added.

Another treat is in store for bike enthusiasts in two weeks time when the East Lancs Motorcycle Show takes place at Glenfield Industrial Park, Blackburn, on Sunday, October 12.

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