AROUND 5,000 enthusiasts and nearly 2,500 motorbikes took over the Three Counties Showground at the weekend.

The Big Bikes @ Malvern event, now in its second year, saw a dramatic rise in attendance.

Organiser Ian Green said he was delighted.

"It was absolutely amazing, well in excess of what we were expecting. It's just fantastic," he said.

As well as machines of all shapes and sizes, trade stands and entertainment, there was an emphasis was on safety, with around 25 different police forces represented at the Bike Safe campaign stand.

Mr Green said he was now gearing up for next year's event.

"It's now established. It'll maybe be a bit bigger next year but we'll expand in the entertainment and trade side," he said.

"The traders had a good day and the bikers had a day out."