AROUND 20,000 people are expected to descend on Calne this weekend for the largest free motorcycle meet in Europe, the annual Calne Bike Meet.

Bikes will be arriving in the town centre on Saturday in time for the live music which is due to start at 11am with The Will Blake band, Josie and the Outlaw and Triple JD all performing.

At the conclusion of the music, around 4pm, the main ride out will take place with riders taking in sites around Avebury, Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett.

Ride out tickets and passes can be purchased online or from the Bike Meet Stall next to the Library on Saturday morning.

Motor bike clubs will have stands including a Speedway Show and Vintage Bikes and Bikes of Special Interest alongside many other stalls throughout the town. Last year it was estimated that around 7,000 bikes made their way into Calne.

Money raised during the meet, which last year reached £10,000, will be distributed between the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Julia’s House Children’s Hospice and the Calne Youth Trust.

Calne Bike Meet committee member, Peter Vujakovic, said: “I think it’s the biggest thing that the town offers and I think a lot of businesses look forward to it, it’s a great day for them.

“You get bikes from all over the UK and Europe, it showcases Calne and it’s an event which is ours. It’s very different to your usual summer festival.

“Last year we reckon about 20,000 people turned up and we estimated around 7,000 motorbikes so its not a small event but very respectful with motorbikes you don’t often get to see.

“But by 6 o’clock you won’t know it’s even happened, the town centre is clean and people move up to the big festival, it’s a clever arrangement.”

Mr Vujakovic, who said he had never ridden a motorbike himself, also praised the meet for maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere and promoting the Calne’s heritage, including the Wiltshire Cure.

As well as activities in the centre of Calne, the meet, now in its 15th year, will also a festival style music event on Friday and Saturday night with live music on the main and acoustic stages at Beversbrook field.

Iron Maiden tribute band, Powerslaves, Benji & Hibbz and Mick O’Toole are all on the line up for the main stage on Friday night with Mick Jogger and the Rolling Zones, Strictly DAN and The Tribe all set to perform on Saturday night.

The Saturday night performances will conclude with a firework display by Cosmic Lights.