A MOTORCYCLE ride from Weymouth has clocked up more than £3,000 for an addiction charity.

The Action on Addiction II ride, organised by Chickerell resident John Bramble on April 3, saw more than 200 bikers take to the streets.

The convoy rode from the Granby Industrial Estate to Exmouth, via West Bay, to raise money for Clouds House Treatment Centre, which is run by Action on Addiction.

This was the second annual ride John has organised since he lost his son Craig to solvent abuse in 2001.

The fundraisers revved past last year's total of £2,400, raising £3,251 for Clouds House.

John said: "We are very happy because I was only expecting about £2,500.

"To get over £3,000 is absolutely amazing and we had more than 200 riders arrive at Exmouth.

"One of the marshals said that, at junctions, even car drivers were stopping him and asking about it, so it looks like we are getting the message out there."

Each biker who took part in the event made a donation to the charity and there was also the opportunity to buy t-shirts and badges in order to raise more money for Action On Addiction.

More than 150 bikers left the starting line at the Granby Industrial Estate and around 50 more joined the convoy at West Bay.

John said that Clouds House representatives were "over the moon" at the amount raised by the ride.

He said: "They were absolutely gobsmacked with the result and could not say thank you enough.

"They were well chuffed last year, so this year they were even happier."

John is now looking ahead to his next fundraising idea, with a new t-shirt already designed for next year's Action on Addiction ride.

He said that next year's ride would likely raise money for the Bournemouth community treatment centre run by the charity rather than the Wiltshire-based Clouds House.

He added: "It was a brilliant turnout and we are getting a good response about doing it again next year.

"We need to see if we can beat £3,500.

"We have got lots of time, but we are definitely planning for next year."