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Bikers in Wootton Bassett tribute Bikers in Wootton Bassett tribute
(about 1 hour later)
Motorcyclists are riding to Wootton Bassett to honour the people of the Wiltshire town - and the soldiers killed in Afghanistan. Thousands of bikers have been riding through Wootton Bassett to honour the people of the Wiltshire town - and the soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
Each of the 10,000 bikers is paying £5 to take part, with the proceeds going to the charity Afghan Heroes. Each rider has paid £5 to take part, with the proceeds going to the charity Afghan Heroes.
The bikers congregated at Hullavington Airfield in Wiltshire earlier. An estimated 15,000 bikers and pillion passengers congregated at Hullavington Airfield in Wiltshire earlier.
The first batch of 500 riders left the airfield at 1100 GMT to ride to Wootton Basset via the M4 motorway. The event will last all day. The first batch of 500 riders left at 1100 GMT to ride to Wootton Basset via the M4 motorway.
About 10,000 bikers registered to take part, but the number at the scene is thought to be higher. The event will last all day, with bikers leaving the airfield at 30-minute intervals.
Riders are leaving in batches of 500 at 30-minute intervals. About 10,000 have registered to take part. They are being accompanied by some 5,000 pillion passengers.
'Noise and movement'
Crowds gathered along Wootton Bassett's High Street to watch the bikers pass the war memorial.
The ride, believed to the biggest of its kind, has raised more than £100,000 so far for the charity.
The town's mayor Steve Bucknell said the "vast majority" of the people in the town "fully support" what the bikers are doing.
I decided to make a Facebook page, and it's just taken off Event organier Elizabeth StevensI decided to make a Facebook page, and it's just taken off Event organier Elizabeth Stevens
"Too many times the town has had to stand still in silence but today is all about noise and movement."
Local MP James Gray added that people in the town appreciated the gesture and were "very supportive of it indeed".
Sue Sullivan, from Gloucestershire, is one of those taking part.Sue Sullivan, from Gloucestershire, is one of those taking part.
She said: "We rode at 1130 GMT and I've never seen so many bikes.She said: "We rode at 1130 GMT and I've never seen so many bikes.
"I'm one of thousands of people who support our girls and boys.""I'm one of thousands of people who support our girls and boys."
Local MP James Gray said people in the town appreciated the gesture and were "very supportive of it indeed".
The Conservative member for Wiltshire North said: "Initially when I heard about this I was worried about it because I thought, 'Well, it's going to be an enormous amount of noise'.
"But what people said to me was, 'Well, look, this is going to raise something like £75,000 altogether for this brilliant charity, Afghan Heroes.'"
Denise Harris, the founder of Afghan Heroes, said troops on the front line had sent her e-mails backing the event.Denise Harris, the founder of Afghan Heroes, said troops on the front line had sent her e-mails backing the event.
Harley DavidsonHarley Davidson
She told the BBC: "It boosts morale for them.She told the BBC: "It boosts morale for them.
"I mean they just are so grateful to the general public for their support, and their kindness." "I mean they just are so grateful to the general public for their support and their kindness."
The Bike Run was the idea of 18-year-old biker Elizabeth Stevens.The Bike Run was the idea of 18-year-old biker Elizabeth Stevens.
The ride was organised by Elizabeth Stevens, 18, pictured with her partnerThe ride was organised by Elizabeth Stevens, 18, pictured with her partner
Ms Stevens, a mechanics student at the Central Bedfordshire College, had only planned to ride through the town with a few friends.Ms Stevens, a mechanics student at the Central Bedfordshire College, had only planned to ride through the town with a few friends.
"Our local bike club was throwing around the idea of a bike run," she said in January, "so I decided to make a Facebook page, and it's just taken off"."Our local bike club was throwing around the idea of a bike run," she said in January, "so I decided to make a Facebook page, and it's just taken off".
Ms Stevens, who is riding pillion on her partner's 1200 Harley Davidson Sportster, is one of the riders leading the run. Ms Stevens is riding pillion on her partner's 1200 Harley Davidson Sportster.
Ch Insp Owen Gillard of Wiltshire Police said the force was working with the Ministry of Defence and Wiltshire Council to ensure public safety. Laurence Phillips from Afghan Heroes said the event had gathered pace after being posted on the social networking site Facebook.
The last riders are expected to arrive at Wootton Bassett at about 1800 GMT. "It's quite a staggering spectacle and an unbelievable show of support for the troops in Afghanistan and a mark of respect for the town of Wootton Bassett."
Ch Insp Owen Gillard of Wiltshire Police said the force was working with the Ministry of Defence and Wiltshire Council to ensure public safety, with police escorting the bikers and a helicopter at the scene.
The Highways Agency said motorists would encounter increased traffic throughout the day, especially around junctions 16 and 17 of the M4.The Highways Agency said motorists would encounter increased traffic throughout the day, especially around junctions 16 and 17 of the M4.
A police spokesman said there might be traffic delays throughout the day.