Thousands descend on Barton Bike Night

Thousands of biker have descended on the Lincolnshire town of Barton-upon-Humber for the annual Bike Night celebrations last Wednesday, with organisers believing the event, which attracted an estimated 15,000 people last year, was the busiest ever.

Guest appearances from TT stars John McGuinness, Gary Johnson, Dean Harrison, Peter Hickman and Lee Johnston helped draw the record crowd, as did BSB racers Ryuichi Kiyonari and James Westmoreland, with all signing autographs for almost five hours.

Now in its 18th year, the event is going from success to success, according to organiser Barrie Newton.

“We’ve had a great response. We have 30 trade stands, and we had towards 15,000 visit the town last year, but I believe it was the busiest one we have ever had.

“I’ve been organising it with the committee for six years, and I have been helping out with it since it started in 1997, and in that time it has really grown and it’s a nice family event now. It attracts people from far and wide, and we get all ages from little kids to grandparents. The pubs are all doing their bit and the shops are open late.”