A HISTORIC team of Dorset daredevil soldiers will be able to keep their feet off the ground for another year thanks to a tyre partnership worth thousands of pounds.

The Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team, also known as the White Helmets, are a group of serving soldiers from the Royal Corps of Signals of the British Army, who give public displays of motorcycling skills, acrobatics and stunt riding.

The White Helmets were formed in 1927 and regularly perform to hundreds of thousands of people over the course of a display season, not including TV audiences.

The team, which is based at the home of the Royal Signals at Blandford Camp, will now benefit from Bridgestone manufactured products to keep their fleet of 50 bikes in formation for the foreseeable future, together with branded training jackets, fleeces and hooded tops for riders.

Sergeant Stevie Marshall from the White Helmets said: “The tyre partnership is essential in the running of the team.

“Without it, we probably wouldn’t be able to repair our bikes because all of our money would be swallowed up in buying new tyres.

“The injection of cash from Bridgestone really is invaluable, as our maintenance costs are going up and the bikes are getting older.

“Without it, we’d certainly find it more challenging to carry out all of our commitments, so Bridgestone’s support is really appreciated.”

The White Helmets receive no funding from the Ministry of Defence with the exception of the standard pay and allowances of the team members, while the riders receive no specialist pay for carrying out the public displays.

The mixture of tyres and products from Bridgestone will also now allow the soldiers to perform on all surfaces.

Bridgestone’s Steve Watts said: “We are proud to be associated with such a historic organisation which has provided so much enjoyment to so many people over the years.

“To be able to provide tyres to the White Helmets’ fleet of bikes represents a significant investment for us, but one which is hugely beneficial.

“It allows us to elevate our brand to a huge audience who share our passion for bikes and the enjoyment that they provide.”

For more information visit whitehelmets.co.uk