The 11th Calne Motorcycle Meet was a resounding hit once again – raising £5,000 for charity – but organisers were left facing rumours it could be the last.

More than 4,000 people and 2,000 bikes attended Saturday’s rally, which was organised by Calne Rotary Club.

But rumours abounded that the event might be moving to Chippenham, or even closing down in future.

Rotarian Peter Tompkins said: “We would love the event to continue, because it is a brilliant thing for Calne and the surrounding villages.

“But we need involvement from either a local motorcycle club or a Calne organisation to share the burden of the day, because there is just so much organising to do.

“Every year, we sit down afterwards and agree whether the meet will continue the following year and we haven’t done that yet. What I will say is that while we are involved there is no way it will move to Chippenham.

“The event is run by Calne people for Calne people and businesses and Chippenham has plenty of its own going on.”

The event brings £150,000 to the local economy every year, with restaurants and shops enjoying a bumper day, reportedly taking around four times the amount of a normal Saturday.

This year was no different, despite a 50 per cent drop in sponsorship for the second consecutive year and the tough economic climate.

The meet made a substantial profit for local and bike charities.

Mr Tompkins said: “We actually raised a little less than last year, but we have dramatically reduced our costs so we are able to give more to our charities. Hopefully, we should have around £5,000 to give to them.

“We had individual riders from all over the country come, as well as clubs from Wales, Scotland and the Isle of Wight.

“The vintage bikes were great, which is a harder job than ever as they are 100 years or more old now. And the new skate park event worked well too, which was important because we always want to keep evolving so nobody gets bored.

“Having it in the town centre is what makes the Calne meet so unique. It is the only one of its kind, certainly in the south west, and that is what keeps the bikers coming back.”