Three local bikers joined thousands of other riders on Sunday to create the world’s biggest “poppy”.

Justin Killick, 41, his dad Brian, 66, and friend Wayne Whitehead, 38, were among more than 10,000 motorcyclists who wore red and rode around the 117-mile clockwise carriageway of the M25.

Organiser Julia Stevenson urged clubs, groups and enthusiasts to be at service stations by 12.30pm.

They then converged on the motorway at different points until all the groups had caught up with each other to create a ring of red like a giant poppy.

Non-bikers showed their support by becoming what the riders nicknamed “bridge babes” by standing on crossings across the M25, in places where it was safe to do so, to wave the drivers on.

Brian, a former traffic officer for the Metropolitan Police who lives in Barton Hill Drive, Minster, found out about the event via a Facebook group and encouraged his son and Wayne, of Periwinkle Court, Milton Regis, to take part.

The day’s events were poignant for the three men who have all served in the Royal Navy.

Justin, of Feldspar Close, Sonora Fields, said: “It was good and there was a lot more people on the day than expected.

“I’m sure if they do it again next year it will be bigger and better.”

Money was raised by the selling of patches to riders and collection buckets were out at service stations.

Ms Stevenson said: “I am ecstatic at the number of bikers that turned out as a mark of respect to the fallen. They came from all over, Germany, Liverpool, the Isle of Wight, Yorkshire.

“There were no accidents and we had the most glorious weather all the way round. It was sunshine from start to finish.

“It will happen again and only get bigger and bigger so we can put more money into the Poppy Appeal.

“So far we have raised just under £7,000 but there is money coming in all the time.”