Bulldog Bash licence is debated

Mr Tobin was killed on his way home from the biker festival

A bikers' festival may not go ahead for the first time in 21 years following a man's death after the event last year.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council will decide if the Bulldog Bash at Long Marston airfield, Warwickshire, will go ahead despite police objections.

Warwickshire Police has told the council there is a long history of gang culture between bikers and they "do not believe public safety can be ensured".

Seven men deny murdering Gerry Tobin, 35, and face trial in October.

Mr Tobin, a mechanic from Mottingham, south-east London, was shot dead on the M40 after leaving the event last August.

'Intense rivalry'

There were no reports of trouble at the Bulldog Bash during last year's four-day festival but the police said they had concerns about reprisals at this year's event following Mr Tobin's death.

A decision on the granting of the licence for the early August event is expected on Thursday.

In submissions to the licensing committee, police said there was a long history of gang culture between bikers and spoke about "intense rivalry" that existed between them.

In their representations, they said the increasing level of attacks across Europe was "concerning" .

And in relation to the Bulldog Bash, police said they "did not believe public safety can be ensured, should the event take place".

The organisers said they understood police concerns but were keen to follow the conditions set by the council, which they had always stuck to.

The say the four-day festival is a family event and that in 21 years of running the event there have never been any serious incidents.