ORGANISERS of a bikers' festival expected to attract hundreds of riders from across the country have agreed to use a noise meter to keep down the din and allay residents' fears.

Leather-clad motor cyclists will this week-end gather in a farmer's field off Greenhead Lane, Fence, for the event which promises cheap beer, bands, disco and "silly games."

The three-day festival, organised jointly by Blackburn and Burnley and Pendle Motorcycle Action Groups, has horrified some local people who fear music and noise will be booming out into the early hours.

But police and Pendle Council environmental health officers have promised to keep a close watch on the festival to make sure it passes off peacefully.

Organisers have agreed to set up a noise meter to monitor the decibels so levels are kept to agreed limits.

Alan Binns, chairman of the Reedley Hallows Parish Council, admitted: "We are all waiting to see what happens. Either it will be all right or there will be recriminations. "The organisers have said they want to do it again next year so they won't want to spoil their chances.

"The bikers have been OK at previous events. They weren't holligans or yobs."

The event, called the First Witch Hunt Rally, will take place on private land near the M65 motorway on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

It will include a bike show, treasure hunt over roads round Pendle Hill and the Ribble Valley and an inflatable boxing ring.

Organisers said the bar would be open until midnight and there would be a 24-hour coffee bar. They also predict that bands Myopia and Earthwood "will rock your socks off."

Rob Allison, secretary of Blackburn MAG, expects around 350 bikers. "The event will be well marshalled and well organised."

"We have agreed to noise restrictions and a meter to ensure we keep to them.

"We've discussed our plans with police and the council who think the festival is one of the best organised they've seen," he said.

The event will raise cash to fund campaigning against 'anti-biking' legislation.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.