Bikers in tribute to fallen troops (From Croydon Guardian)

Bikers in tribute to fallen troops

12:47pm Sunday 14th March 2010 in

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Around 15,000 bikers have roared through a market town on Mothering Sunday to honour troops killed in Afghanistan in the biggest ride of its kind.

Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire has come to represent the nation in paying respect to fallen soldiers as they are repatriated back to the UK.

Hundreds line the high street in silence for each funeral cortege that passes through the town on its way from RAF Lyneham to the coroner in Oxford.

Crowds gathered along the High Street to hear the roar of over 10,000 motor bikers with about 5,000 pillion passengers pass the war memorial on route.

The ride, believed to the biggest of its kind, has raised more than £100,000 so far for the charity Afghan Heroes.

Wootton Bassett Mayor Steve Bucknell said: "The vast majority of the people of the town fully support what the bikers are doing today.

"Too many times the town has had to stand still in silence but today is all about noise and movement."

Laurence Phillips from Afghan Heroes said the event gathered pace after being posted on social networking site Facebook.

"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," he said.