Motorcyclists were out in force yesterday (Sunday) to support a charity which helps British service personnel and their families.

Around 300 motorcyclists from Suffolk and Norfolk took part in a ride form Mildenhall to RAF Honington in aid of Afghan Heroes and to pay respects to service personnel who had directly died in action.

Afghan Heroes aims to help British service men and women on the front line in Afghanistan, the families of those who have fallen and those returning from duty.

The bikers gathered at Walker's Cafe in Mildenhall and took in Lakenheath, the Elveden War Memorial, Icklingham and Ingham on the route to RAF Honington.

Civilians and the military were involved in the ride which they hoped raised more than �2,500 for the charity.

Warrant Officer Spike Thompson, a motorcyclist from RAF Honington, said: 'Having served in Afghanistan and having seen the excellent work that Afghan Heroes does in support of the troops on operations we wanted to repay some of that debt.'

The ride from Mildenhall to HOnington was a Ride of Respect, the main one of which taking place at Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire.

The Ride of Respect enables bikers of Britain to show their appreciation for service personnel and thank the people of Wootton Bassett - which was granted Royal patronage in recognition of its role in military funeral repatriations - and nearby RAF Lyneham.

For more information on the Afghan Heroes charity visit www.afghanheroes.org.uk.