THE first ever Shelsley Walsh Bike Festival has been hailed a "roaring success" by organisers.

The event took place at the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb and saw several thousand motorbike fans flock to the site on September 13.

Visitors could enjoy seeing rare classic, modern and famous motorcycles take to the historic hill climb course.

Festival organiser, Gordon Downie, said: “Shelsley Walsh Bike Festival is one of our biggest fundraising events of the year. We are hugely grateful to all the exhibitors, clubs, dealers, marshals, bands, volunteers, sponsors and visitors that have supported us and have all played their part in making the 2015 event such a success."

Off track, the paddock featured a display of historic, modern and race bikes, stunt show, passenger ride experiences, trade stands plus entertainment with live music from UK hot rocking band, Josie and the Outlaws, a roaming Darth Vader actor from the UK Garrison, family friendly burlesque and lindy hop dancing.

The event was supported by Blade Motorcycles Stratford Outlet Centre.

People could spend time browsing stalls from manufacturers to pick up hints and tips as well as end-of-line deals.

Another festival highlight was the MADMAX Race Team and its ‘Streetfighter’ bike, Madmax, which took to the hill.

The Madmax currently holds a land speed record for the world’s first jet turbine streetfighter street legal motorbike, having set a record of 224.9mph from a standing start.

The festival raised money for the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes (NABB), a charity which provides a motorcycle based, free delivery service to the NHS, moving vital medical supplies, blood and pathology samples from medical centres and hospitals throughout the UK.

NABB member groups are closely involved in the transport of frozen human milk from the donor to the milk processing banks and the group is run entirely by volunteers.