IN PICTURES: Thousands of bikers hit M54 for Bike4Life 2016

The annual event, which sees bikers ride 23 miles from Shrewsbury to RAF Cosford, is held in aid of the Midlands Air Ambulance.

Around 7,000 motorcyclists and passengers are thought to have taken part in the event, which would be a new high.

Leading the hordes was former professional racer and motorbike pundit Steve Parrish riding a Triumph Thruxton.

Mr Parrish is a former British-title winning motorcylist who also competed on the world stage before picking up the microphone as a commentator.

On leading the convoy, he said: "There was a policeman in front of me but that was it. It made a nice change to have one in front of me rather than behind me!

"It was great because I haven't actually done this one before.

"I've been on plenty of other ride throughs but this is one of the biggest in the country so its great to be able to finally do it.

"Triumph have lent me a bike for the day, the weather is amazing, and it's all for a great cause. There's nothing to beat it really."

The convoy left Meole Brace at 11.30am for the 23-mile journey via the A5, M54 and A41.

And as well as the ride-out, a host of events were taking place as part of the Bike4Life festival at RAF Cosford.

More than 3,000 people pre-booked to take part in the event, up 700 on the previous year.

Organisers said around 1,500 also registered on the day, and including passengers estimated the number taking part to be around 7,000.

Helen Stevens, spokeswoman for the charity, said thousands more attended the festival at the end of the event.

Rock band Toseland, whose front man is two-time world superbike champion James Toseland, were the headline act on the main stage for the festivities after the event.

Mr Toseland said: "The band and I were so excited to be playing at the Bike4Life Festival.

"It's always a pleasure performing in front of my old family of biker friends and it was an amazing day."

Roger Pemberton, a trustee for the charity who took part in the ride, said: "It is obviously about making people aware of the work Midlands Air Ambulance does on behalf of motorcyclists and anyone else who is likely to need a very fast response.

"The charity helps people in major trauma get to hospital within that golden hour.

"If you can get them there within 60 minutes, they have a very much greater chance of survival.

"It's great to see so many people here showing their support for the Midland Air Ambulance and it has been a fantastic day."