CALNE Bike Meet will not be offering a camp site facility as part of next year’s meet.

The committee which organises the event, billed as Europe's biggest free bike meet, has taken the difficult decision due to a lack of man power and the high costs associated with the camping.

Earlier this year, around 400 bikers pitched their tents at Beversbrook Fields on Friday and Saturday nights with many local bands playing on Saturday night.

Chairman of Calne Bike Meet, Greg Widger, said: “It’s extremely expensive to put on and it takes up a lot of time for about eight people so we decided, reluctantly, not to offer camping in 2016.

“It was not an easy decision but this year we will concentrate our efforts on the main event in the town, making it bigger and better than it’s ever been.

“I already know people that are disappointed but we have tried to get it out there early so people can make alternative arrangements.”

Riders wishing to stay at next year’s Bike Meet, which will take place on July 30, will need to find local accommodation at hotels, pubs or other north Wiltshire campsites.

The main event, including the famous ride out, which takes place in the town centre is not expected to change markedly.

“There would be an awful lot more disappointment if the bike meet didn’t happen; we have got to focus on the main event,” Mr Widger added.

“There’s absolutely no doubt the main event in the town will continue in 2016 and we are all 100 per cent committed to keeping that going in the town and keeping it free.”

The 2015 Calne Bike Meet raised £10,000 for charity donating £3333.33 each to Julia’s House Children’s Hospice, the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and the Calne Youth Trust on October 3.

Full details of the main event in Calne Town Centre for the event on July 30 next year have not yet been released.