THE centre of Calne came to a standstill on Saturday as bikes of all shapes, sizes and models lined the streets as part of the town's Bike Meet festival.

With every space for a trade and charity stall being taken, the bikers who didn’t camp in the wet weather on Friday night arrived throughout Saturday morning to a festival of two wheeled monsters.

The Strand, Sainsbury’s car park, the Beach Terrace, the Wharf and Castlefields all hosted an eclectic mix of bike clubs and motor groups in what has been billed as the biggest free bike meet in Europe.

Around 120 bikers took part in the ride out from Calne at 4pm taking in sites around the north of the county before returning for music at the Beversbrook Field.

Bike Meet committee member Peter Vujakovic said: “The bikers I have been talking to say there’s nothing else like it and they are very generous, which is amazing. Saturday was just massive, everyone seemed happy and everyone in the town seemed to love it.”

Local groups were also heavily involved in the day, with Calne Rotary Club operating a cloakroom and refreshments centre from the town hall.

James Eades, from Wiltshire Bikers, said: “It’s a brilliant event, it’s nice to get everyone together really, and it’s nice that this is local to us, having it on our doorstep is really good. The more people we meet the more friends we find.”

On returning from the ride out, around 4,000 music fans could enjoy performances from Mick Joggers and the Rolling Zones, The Tribe and George Wilding across two stages at Beversbrook field between 6pm and midnight.

Calne Town Mayor, Howard Marshall, who joined bikers on the ride out said: “The bike meet was fantastic, absolutely brilliant. I don’t think there was another spot we could have squeezed another bike in.

“It brings money into the town and we were very pleased it was so successful and we had the weather when you look at Friday and Sunday. I am so proud of the committee, they have done a fantastic job.”

Money raised by the Bike Meet, through ride out ticket sales, t-shirt and wristband sales, will be donated to charities Julia’s House Hospice, Wiltshire Air Ambulance and the Calne Youth Trust.

Julia’s House Hospice Care and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance both had staff and volunteers at stands outside the library throughout Saturday to raise awareness of their respective causes.

Ian Wadley, fundraising manager for Julia’s House, said: “It’s a fantastic community event, we are really delighted to be part of it and it’s great to be chosen as one of the charities.”

Meanwhile, Lesley Altoft, paramedic for Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “The support has been fantastic, I think with us being a very local charity people can relate to it.”