HUNDREDS of bikers who had hoped to join in this year's Remembrance Day parade in Selby have been turned down.

Motorcyclists from Squires Biker Cafe in Sherburn-in-Elmet contacted Selby Town Council asking for permission to take part in the procession to pay their respects, but it has been refused on the grounds it would not be possible to manage 200 motorbikes.

Organiser Chris Eden, 42, decided to contact the council after taking part in the bikers-only Ring of Red ride last year.

Thousands of riders, wearing red t-shirts over their protective gear, took to the M60 on Remembrance Sunday last year to commemorate the country’s fallen war heroes by creating a "ring of red" around the motorway.

Chris said: "It's not going to be a logistical nightmare.

"I am not wanting to cause trouble or take over the parade in Selby. I just think it would be nice to allow the motorcyclists to ride past the Abbey in a civilised and orderly manner allowing us to pay our respects.

"We can still go through when they re-open the road but it would be nice if everyone knew we were coming and they could watch safely.

The riders proposed to pay their respects by having a period of silence at their cafe then riding up the A63 from Squires to Selby and joining the parade, which finishes at the Abbey.

The parade features veterans, cadets, Scouts, Cubs and Guides, but the Town Council wrote to Mr Eden to explain they could not be accommodated because it would be difficult to manage.

Karen Mann, Selby Town Council's clerk, told The Press: "The town council completely supports what they want to do.

"We considered the request but how would we manage an event with an additional 200 motorbikes?

"They can come to the Abbey but they can't take part in the parade because it wouldn't be manageable.

"We would have to speak to several military organisations and we don't have the staff."