Biker blessing for county riders

Four churches in Leicestershire are holding a special "bikers' blessing" for motorcyclists in the county.

Leicestershire Police's chapter of the Blue Knights motorcycle club has organised the service to mark the beginning of the biking season.

A specially-made wooden cross has been cut into four parts and each segment will be placed in the churches taking part in the blessing on Saturday.

An informal thanksgiving service will be held at St Mary's Church, Hinckley.

Bigger and better

The Rev Canon Brian Davis from St Mary's Church will conduct the service outside the church and bless each individual rider before giving them a prayer card.

Pc Alan "Gunner" Morris from the Blue Knights said: "We ran our first Biker Blessing last year which proved a great success and we hope this year's event will be bigger and appeal to a far wider audience.

"An occasion like this is a great show of support to the church, the Blue Knights and Leicestershire Police."

Holy Trinity Church in Barrow on Soar, St Luke's Church in Gaddesby and St John the Baptist Church in Billesdon are all taking part.

The Blue Knights is an international motorcycle club that is open to police officers and other roles that hold the power of arrest.

The Leicestershire chapter undertakes various charity work around the country.