MOTORCYCLING fundraisers are revving up ready for the annual Boundary 500 Santa ride.

More than 150 bikes are due to set off from Thornaby town centre on Saturday with the aim of raising as much cash as possible for Zoe'sPlace Baby Hospice.

The organiser of the ride retired Police Officer Brian Laverick and founder of the Boundary 500 Motorcycle Group said: "This is the event everyone looks forward to. Our efforts to raise money throughout the year for both the Great North Air Ambulance and Zoë's Place Baby Hospice are well established and this ride will bring to a close our fund raising efforts for 2014.

"This ride last year raised in excess of £29,000 and since 2006 the Group has now raised in excess of £164,000 for the hospice."

The Santa Ride will be preceded by a vintage Fire engine and followed by an open top bus carrying local dignitaries.

Rider will leave Thornaby town centre at 11.30am under police escort for the twenty two mile ride through Thornaby, Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar before finishing up at Kirkleatham Hall where the Cleveland Police Band and Guisborough choir will be performing a selection of Christmas Carol's.

If people want to travel to KIrkleatham Hall to see the riders coming in then they need to be there no later than noon to ensure that they can get their vehicles parked, with the procession expected to arrive about 12.45pm.

The Cleveland Police Band and Guisborough Choir will be performing in the Pavilion at the Kirkleatham Hall.

The Santa Ride this year has attracted the attention of 'Motorcycle News' and journalist Alison Silcox is taking part in the ride and compiling an article.