BIKERS put the "roar" into Rawtenstall as Europe's biggest town centre motorcycling show moved up a gear.

And a wedding with a difference took place as an estimated 40,000 people -- from toddlers to pensioners -- packed the town's streets which were covered wall to wall with every kind of bike, from classic and vintage to brand-new motorised aluminium scooters and novel one-off trikes.

Rossendale Valley Motorbike Show chairman Tony Winder said: "We are happy with the turn-out and although the weather was a bit unpredictable at the start the sun shone on the bride.

"The trials arena was a huge success and the mini-moto at Asda was the best circuit we have ever had with a record number of riders.

"I would like to thank the committee, the residents of Rossendale, the police, the marshals and volunteers. Thanks also to the land owners, like Hurstwoods, who allowed us to use their land and charge for parking.

"Next year is the 10th show and it is also the 50th anniversary of Rossendale's twinning agreement with Bocholt so we are looking to link both."

Bride Pippa Baggs made a spectacular entrance in flowing white dress, black leather jacket, biker boots, veil and feather headdress.

She was on a trike driven by Mark Grinnall, who had travelled from Kidderminster, near Pippa's home town of Stourbridge, for the show. Behind her were 1,500 gleaming machines which organisers hope may earn a place in the Guinness Book of Records for staging the longest bridal procession.

Pippa, 35, a lecturer at Accrington and Rossendale College, said: "It was really excellent. People were hooting their horns and when we went under the three bridges there were so many people on them, cheering and waving."

Pippa and her husband, bike show committee member Simon Tiller, had originally planned a wedding in a field before the bike show got involved.

But she said: "It was absolutely amazing and it was much better than my field."

The couple were married before 70 guests in nearby St Mary's Chambers and Superintendent Registrar Bob Parker said: "There is always a day in the year when you think fingers crossed and that day is here."

But apart from Pippa getting a bit emotional, the wedding went off without a hitch.

Simon, 35, who arrived for his wedding in the Burn FM scoot car, said: "I was on the show ground from 5.45am and it wasn't until 10.30am when I went to have a shower and get myself ready that it hit me. There was something more to this year's bike show and I started getting butterflies.

"We are grateful to Tony and the rest of the committee for organising the wedding. Let's hope everyone has put £1 in and we raise lots for charity."

Managing editor of Northern Biker Mick Tonks opened the show and honoured guest the Deputy Mayor of Bocholt Ilse Tekampe was on stage to say a few words.

She took part in the ride-in and said: "I enjoyed it. Motorcycling is a popular sport for people from all across Europe and I want to thank the town of Rawtenstall for inviting the civic delegation from Bocholt."

More than 6,000 bikes packed every available street, car park and spare piece of land in the town and most were happy to pay the £5 parking donation to help raise funds for charity.

A percentage of the funds will go to Lancashire Fire Services appeal for colleagues in New York and Rawtenstall firefighters also held a collection that easily topped £1,000.