A commemorative 70-mile motorbike ride to mark 70 years since Operation Market Garden was a roaring success.

Over 60 riders gathered at the starting line at The Kings Arms in Hilperton and toured the Wiltshire Airfields used in 1944, including Lyneham, Wroughton and Keevil, to raise funds for SSAFA, a charity providing lifelong support for the forces and their families.

Organiser Steve Stone served for 13 years in the Army, which saw him complete several tours in Northern Ireland and a tour of Bosnia. He left in 1997.

He later developed post traumatic stress and became homeless, but eventually benefitted from SSFA and wanted to give something back to the charity.

Mr Stone, of Bromham, said: “It was a brilliant day. We didn’t have the 100 plus we expected, but still had 60 plus riders.

"For our first one, I was really impressed. Our furthest rider travelled from Weymouth and there were a few ex-Army guys.

“We had no problems on the road, the route was great and the road was dry. We got round in two hours ten minutes.”

The riders were waved off by 88-year-old Normandy veteran Bob Conway and his wife Gwen, and Trowbridge deputy mayor Roger Andrews and his wife Aurore.

Each rider wore a SSAFA T-shirt and paid £10 to take part raising over £500.

Mr Stone said: “The money will help a family or disabled veteran; it was worth the effort. We are going to try and do it every year.”

Mr Stone, 49, helped lead the convoy on his trike. He cannot ride a motorbike as he has rheumatoid spondylitis – a result of injuries received from an accident during his time in Bosnia when the small armoured tank he was driving rolled down a snow-covered cliff.

He fractured his neck and back and suffered acid burns to his face and neck.

SSAFA Wiltshire secretary Bill Common said: “It was a great success. We hope to have a similar event around an Anzac theme next year to commemorate the Battle of Gallipoli.”