Bristol bikers hog the Severn Bridge for charity

Thousands of bikers will pull on their leathers for an annual ride across the Severn Bridge to raise money for charity.

The Hoggin' the Bridge event attracts motorcycling enthusiasts from across the country and overseas, many of them on Harley Davidsons.

Bikes and riders provide a spectacle on both sides of the river Severn, with as many as 4,000 machines parked up at the Severn View services at Aust before they set off.

They are then ridden across the bridge to Wales for a ride around the countryside, before finishing in Chepstow.

Hoggin' the Bridge, incorporating the name of the Harley owners' group, is organised by Bridgwater HOG and was started by accident in 2000 as a way of supporting meningitis charity boss Steve Dayman.

Mr Dayman, of Alveston, near Thornbury, asked Keynsham Harley enthusiast Rex Forster if a few riders could escort competitors in a charity walk over the Severn Bridge.

Mr Forster, who died in 2005, was a member of Bridgwater HOG and was also involved in fundraising for research into meningitis.

The idea snowballed and nearly 1,000 bikers turned up.

It then became an event in its own right and this year's ride on Sunday will be the 10th time traffic will be brought to a standstill as the riders take to the road.

Thousands of pounds have been raised for charity over the decade and this year the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal will be just one of the charities to be supported – with members of the legion's own motorcycling branch taking part.

The event starts at 11am and police have warned drivers who are not involved with the event to avoid the area.