Rye caught the overspill from the big May Day bike run which sees up to 20,000 bikers visiting Hastings.

The machines caused a stir as they lined up along Strand Quay and overspilled into the area around the Heritage Centre.

A number of visitors stopped to admire them and chat to the riders.
The bikers have met with a mixed reaction in the past with some Rye councillors complaining that they broke rules to park illegally at Strand Quay and caused an obstruction by parking on pavements.

But many traders in the town say they are welcome visitors who are well behaved and spend money in the town.

Poor weather has limited the number of bikers visiting in the past two years, but glorious sunshine on Monday ensured a good turn-out.

The run has had a poor safety record over the years with 2007 being the first time in nine years no one has died attending the event. Many more riders have been seriously injured or ended up returning home without their bike.

This year, despite the numbers, there were no reported accidents in the Rye area.

Sgt Paul Masterson, of the Sussex Policew Road Policing Unit, said: "The event has no organiser and no one plans the day.

"It has just entered the biking calender of its own accord and most motorcyclists across the south east know of its existance. Riders are known to attend from across Europe as well as further afield."