TELEVISION motorbike ace Steve Berry likened the Rossendale Valley Motorbike Show to the Isle of Man TT - but he said it was better!

Steve, a presenter on BBC2's Top Gear, was guest of honour at the presentation evening at Rawtenstall Cricket Club when more than £11,000 was handed out to good causes thanks to the 33,000 bikers who revved their way into Rawtenstall for last year's show in September.

Steve said: "Most people think of bikers as a great big family but it's only at the Rossendale show where you see everybody come together. There are lots of good reasons to come to the show and support it.

"It's a great show, I enjoy it, I enjoy supporting it and I want to get across how unique it is in the world of biking- the only thing that is similar is the TT - and that goes on far too long and costs too much!"

Show chairman Tony Winder said the show brought in £33,000 and £17,000 was paid out in expenses which included nearly £2,200 to Rossendale Council for road closures, signs, street cleaning and hire of the Astoria.

Tony thanked the many companies who supported the show including Airtours, Rossendale Kawasaki and James Killelea and the police for their help. Of the profits, the three organising groups Rossendale Round Table, British Motorcycle Federation Region Nine and Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce each received £2,000. A further £4,000 was handed out on the night and a donation of £1,258 was given to Rawtenstall Cricket Club. The remaining money helps to cushion the costs of this year's show.

Beneficiaries included: Mencap, the Hospice in Rossendale, Rossendale Rotary Club, Crops, Rossendale Domestic Violence Forum, Raynet, Red Cross, Sea Cadets, Air Training Corps, Shotokhan Karate Club, Rossendale Valley Sounds, Alder Grange High School, St John's Rainbows, All Saints RC High School, Burnley Play Association, Blackburn Special Needs.

Tony added: "This year Rossendale Round Table has parted company with the bike show. Their members have provided valuable support and worked hard and we would like to thank them."

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