THIS year's Stone Circle Bike Show has been held on social media following cancellation due to the lockdown.

Darren Carter, treasurer of the Wiltshire branch of the BSA Owners' Club, organised the first two shows together with club members and family.

The shows raise funds for local charities, and the events which are usually held at the sports and social club in Avebury were so successful that the third show was going to be moved to a larger venue, Supermarine Sports and Social Club in Swindon.

But lockdown forced a rethink - so instead, supporters posted pictures of their bikes and projects on Facebook in order to keep interest going. Each week they held a competition for a different category of machine and members voted for their favourite. This became the page header for that week and the winner received a free armband for entry to the next show.

"There was a high standard of bikes at the first two events and this is reflected in the virtual show; classics, custom performance machines, trikes, stunning paint jobs and choppers all feature.

"We have raised around £6,800 so far," said Darren, who is hoping to raise more funds when the show goes ahead at Supermarine in Swindon. "People have been incredibly generous.'"

The Wiltshire Air Ambulance and local man Stu Vinter received funds from the first shows, and will also benefit from any money raised at the next.

Stu is a tetraplegic following an accident in a garden pool. He used donated money to buy and adapt a van, enabling him to drive and gain some precious independence.

Darren is determined to resurrect the show when conditions allow.

"We will call it The Stone Circle Show - on Tour!'" he said. "It is booked for May 3, 2021, and depending on the success of the new venue we may rename it. We will still support the same charities, together with the Children's Hospice South West," said Darren.

Category winners are: Best Trike, Annie Rubython; best pre 1975, John Watson; best performance machine, Dave Solomon; best paint, Lee Perry; best non-standard, Geoff Smith; best nearly finished, Paul Morris; best chop, Russell Cort.

Donations can be made via the charities' websites, or Stu Vinter's GoFundMe page.