Record entries and crowds are expected at next weekend’s Bike Show South West at the Bath & West Showground - April 30-May 1st

In fact interest in the popular enthusiasts’ show has been so great that organisers have had to open up an extra hall this year to cope with demand.

New this year is the Trike Hall with nearly 40 exhibits booked in and more to confirm. And well over 200 custom and classic bikes are also expected – making this the biggest bike show for several years. “I am absolutely delighted,” said show organiser Kim Munden. “I think it is an accumulation of everything – people like the Show and this year we have the weekend camping back.”

Motorcycle enthusiast and writer Bel Mooney - one of the country’s best known journalists - will roar into Bike Show South West next weekend, Saturday April 30th – Sunday May 1st on the back of a purple Harley-Davidson to present the prizes to the winning owners of the hundreds of gleaming custom and classic motor cycles on display.  The self-confessed Harley addict will ride in on the back of a machine belonging to her friend, Robin Allinson Smith. Bel has just started a new column in The Times, and is a regular contributor to The Daily Mail as well.  She has written many travel articles about motorcycle road-trips in the USA and in July is presenting a new six week run of her long-running interview series 'Devout Sceptics' on BBC Radio 4. Many motorcycle enthusiasts enjoyed her centenary tribute to Harley-Davidson on Radio 4, and her trip to the States included meeting the legendary Willie G Davidson, Harley-Davidson's vice president of styling. In addition she has written over 25 books, including the best-selling series of 'Kitty' stories for children.

Bel said: 'I've been to the show with biker friends a few times now, and always have a great time. To me the custom bikes are works of art, which is why I am very excited to have the chance to present the prizes to all the talented people who create them. '

Show goers can look forward to an action packed weekend with entertainment for all the family, live music, stunt displays and all the usual motorcycling thrills and spills plus over 100 tradestands to make every biker’s dreams come true.

And the stars of the show will of course be the hundreds of gleaming classic and custom bikes from all over the country on display all chasing over £3,000 worth of prize money.

Blazing displays, fantastic fire stunts and the ultimate robot combat experience are all part of the show’s action-packed weekend. A fire stunt spectacular complete with flaming gyroscopes, a Box of Death, and a Wall of Fire, will be staged by the dare-devil Manchester Company of Extreme Largeness.

And Robogeddon - a brand new entertainment concept - complete with a battle zone, Cyber Raptor Robots and Robotic Combat Vehicles will delight Robot Wars enthusiasts of all ages.

Other new acts include quad bikes, bungee trampolining, an assault course, and radio controlled tanks and cars from Combat FX.

There’s the chance to handle hawks and see a host of birds of prey courtesy of Ye Olde Redtail Falconry Display, while the X-treme Trials display stunt team will amaze the crowds with their death-defying antics combining stunt riding, showmanship and choreography.

And the Pre 1965 British Trials Champion for the last four years - John Young (60) of Whitstone Road, Shepton Mallet - will be bringing along his many trophies plus his acclaimed 1954 Ariel HT 500 trials bike and his 1936 Triumph Jap Sprint that hits the quarter mile at over 100 miles an hour.  With his son Paul (25) in the sidecar the father and son partnership have been British motorbike and side car racing champions for the last four years running. Veteran motorcyclist John’s 40 year career in motorcycle sport has included scrambling, trials, enduros and sprints on two wheels and three.

The Show at the Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, opens Friday, April 29th for campers only, with the two public days for everyone on Saturday, April 30th and Sunday, May 1st.

The campsite is open from 3pm on the Friday until 5pm on Sunday and camping rates are £20 for adults and £7.50 for children for advance bookings, or £25 for adults and £10 for children on the gate.

Admission prices to the Show are £7 for adults and £4 for children for advanced tickets, or £8 for adults and £5 for children on the gate. Children under five are free.

For full details of the show ring organiser Kim Limb on 01749 823260. Save £££s by booking now on the advanced ticket saver hotline on 01749 822 222.