IT WAS a biking bonanza that turned part of Hampshire into the motorcycle capital of Britain.

The New Forest echoed to the sound of powerful engines yesterday as an estimated 6,000 riders revved up for a major charity event.

Totton turned into a sea of leather as motorcyclists from all over the country converged on the town.

Bemused shoppers stared in amazement when a non-stop procession roared through the streets.

Their owners were taking part in the 2003 Daisy Chain Run, which is expected to raise at least £10,000 for the Wessex Cancer Trust.

The 22-mile event took more than half-an-hour to filter out of the starting area.

Organiser Gilly Jones, 34, of Strawberry Fields, East Boldre, in the New Forest, said: "About 4,500 people took part in the 2002 run and well over that number turned up this year.

"People came from all over the country, plus parts of northern Europe."

Gilly's own family was touched by cancer in January last year when her mother, Pat Sparks, 64, of East Boldre, was struck down by the disease.

She said: "Mum went into hospital on the Tuesday and died on the Sunday. It was horrendous."

Riders taking part in the run included New Forest East MP Dr Julian Lewis, 51, who was a motorcycle courier in his student days.

He said: "I bought my BMW 750 in 1990 so it's getting a bit long in the tooth, but I use it in the summer for travelling around London and my constituency."

Other riders included BBC South Today presenter Sally Taylor, vice-president of the Wessex Cancer Trust, who has successfully fought breast cancer.