POLICE hope their most successful motorbike fun day to date will save lives on the road.

A record crowd of about 12,000 people attended the annual Bikewise event at Durham Police's headquarters, in Durham City, on Sunday.

Attractions included stunt riders, one of the world's fastest bikes, music, police dogs and quad biking.

But there was serious message as the force's motorcycle section want to reduce last year's toll of nine deaths in motorbike accidents on the county's roads.

Officers used the event to try to persuade motorcycling enthusiasts and car drivers to use the roads sensibly and to keep their vehicles safe from thieves.

Sergeant Bob Brown, the event organiser, said: "This was the tenth Bikewise and it was definitely a bumper crowd. It was the best year we have had.

"We had a great day and it was nice to see so many happy, smiling faces.

"We got across the message we wanted to get across - road safety and crime prevention.

"Last year, we had nine fatalities in eight accidents on the area's roads and this year, so far, we have had none."

Sgt Brown urged riders to join advanced motorcycle clubs that follow the system of riding used by the police. Details are available on the force website at www.durham.police.uk

The event raised an estimated £4,000 to £5,000 for local charities.

"That's about £50,000 we have raised in total since we started,'' said Sgt Brown.