British Superbike champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne has praised the work of a team of volunteers who provide a lifesaving service across Kent.

Shane was speaking at the opening of a new headquarters for Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers (Serv) which transports medical supplies across the county.

The ‘blood bikers’ work for the NHS for free and last year received almost 3,000 call-outs.

The Kent branch was formed 20 years ago but this is the first time it has had a dedicated base.

The secure compound, a former police traffic post at the M2 Farthing Corner services in Rainham, includes a repair workshop, meeting rooms and a training suite.

Trevor Sayer, from Serv, said that, while volunteers would continue to work from home, the base would provide somewhere to carry out repairs, train and hold meetings.

He said: “The M2 services is also a change-over point for blood coming from London and going to east Kent and other parts of the county.

“Because our volunteers work at night, the changeover may be at 2am. Having this premises means we have somewhere secure where volunteers, who include both men and women, can wait.”

There are seven volunteers on duty every night, as well as during the day at weekends, who transport blood, vaccines, breast milk, medical notes and X-rays.

The bikers now also deliver blood to the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance each night which enables medics to transfuse blood at the scene of accidents.

Mr Sayer added: “Last year we answered 2,900 calls. This is a 60% rise compared to the previous four or five years. It has been increasing rapidly so a base like this is a great boost.”

Four times and reigning British Superbike champion Shane, who has had an operation on his hand after a pre-season crash in Spain, cut the ribbon to officially open the building on Monday.

He said: “It is an honour to open the headquarters, to meet the guys and find out about the service they provide.

“I hope that I will never need their services, but it’s a charity that resonates with me and fellow bikers.

“I’ve chased time at race tracks but for the likes of the air ambulances and blood bike groups, every second can literally be the matter of life or death.

“These new headquarters are easily accessible and will enable them to continue their vital lifesaving work across the county.”