Bike4Life: Thousands take to the road for annual charity ride - with video and pictures

Bikers gathered at the Meole Brace park and ride to be led on a 23 mile journey to RAF Cosford one of motorcycling's biggest names, Carl Fogarty MBE.

The 52-year-old former World Superbike Champion was joined at the front of the ride out by Moto GP presenter Steve Parrish, and England rugby world cup winner Mike Tindall MBE.

Tindall, a keen biking enthusiast paid tribute to the riders who joined in and the huge crowds who saw the riders off.

He said: "I'm very new to it, I've always wanted to ride and get a licence but I became a rugby professional at a very young age which didn't allow me to do it.

"When I retired in 2011/2012 I started and got my licence, although I'm more of a summer weather rider.

"Events like this are huge and I'm a big supporter of the Midland Air Ambulance, it is a chosen charity I have supported for the last six or so years.

"I was lucky as a rugby pro to have the best medical team on the side lines, but some other people don't get and the air ambulance is vitally important if someone gets seriously injured."

The event, which has raised thousands of pounds over the last eight years began with just 200 riders.

On Sunday thousands flocked to Shrewsbury ahead of the race, to meet the celebrity faces before heading off down the M54 to Cosford.

Around £78,000 was raised last year, and Midland Air Ambulance CEO Hanna Sebright is aiming for a record total this time around.

She added: "It is fantastic to see so many riders and have the event sold out, and we hope to raise around £85,000 this year.

"On top of that we expect 12,000 people to be at the festival in RAF Cosford, so it shows how the riders appreciate the service provided by the air ambulance.

"I would like to thank the communities around this area for coming out and supporting, and being patient with all the road closures we have had today."