AROUND 200 bikers descended on the grounds of Himley Hall yesterday (Sunday March 25) to take part in a brand new Dudley ride out for charity.

The Mayor of Dudley - Councillor Dave Tyler - was among the riders taking part in the Mind Ride event, held in aid of mental health charity Dudley Mind, which started and finished at Himley Park.

It had been 25 years since 71-year-old councillor Tyler, a former police motorcyclist, had ridden a motorbike but according to Mayor's ambassador Damian Corfield, who organised the event, he hadn't lost his touch.

Mr Corfield said: "He was as good as, if not better than, anyone else."

TV paramedic bikers Steve Harris MBE and Mark Hayes also took part in the ride, which took riders on a 20-mile round trip around the Dudley, Halesowen and Stourbridge areas.

Mr Corfield described the inaugural event as "overwhelming" and added: "The support we had was out of this world. We had people from as far as Telford and the Wrekin taking part.

"It was a tremendous event."

Following the success of the day, which looks to have raised around £2,000 for Dudley Mind - one of the Mayor's charities for this year, it is now set to become an annual event.