MOTORCYCLISTS from around the country will gather at Strensham Services to begin the seventh annual Ride to the Wall event.

On Saturday, October 4, thousands of motorcyclists will make a pilgrimage to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire as part of the only event of its kind in the country that gives motorcyclists the opportunity to show their support for the Armed Forces with a dedicated service of Remembrance.

It also raises funds for the National Memorial Arboretum, which is part of The Royal British Legion family of charities and provides a permanent home to the striking Armed Forces Memorial.

More than 200 motorcyclists are planning to start their ride at Strensham Services, which is one of 11 official starting points around the country.

Riders will attend from all corners of the UK as well as continental Europe, either as individuals or in groups and chapters from particular organisations, such as regional Harley Owners Groups, The Royal British Legion Riders Branch and a large number of other owners groups and motorcycle clubs.

The riders from Drayton Manor Park will be the last to arrive at the Arboretum from 12.15pm.

Later in the day, the Military Wives Choir will perform on the steps of the Armed Forces Memorial and a Tiger Moth biplane will drop poppy petals along the causeway to the Memorial prior to the start of a service at its’ base.

The walls of the Armed Forces Memorial are engraved with the names of more than 16,000 service men and women killed on duty or by terrorist action since the end of the Second World War.