Numbers may have been down for the 30th annual Martin Jennings Memorial Run on Sunday, but more than £6,000 was still raised for two local charities.

Organiser David Saunby thinks the lower numbers were down to the fact the motorbike run had to be postponed from the week earlier because of the predicted bad weather. "I think a lot of people had pre-booked weekends away and others had to work this weekend, while others may have been put off by Saturday's weather," he said.

"Despite that though, 1,200 bikes pulled out of the park and ride (in Truro) and I'm sure we were joined by more as we came down through.

"I feel very sorry for the ones who had to work or had other commitments and the ones who didn't bother because they missed a great day."

The £5 entry fees were collected by volunteers for this year's two chosen charities - Cornwall Hospice Care and the Children's Hospice South West - as the bikes set off meaning £5,970 had been checked in before 11am. Further donations collected throughout the day, including those from Falmouth Rugby Club and the caterers at the club, means the grand total will exceed more than £6,000, which will be split equally between the two charities.

The 130 mile route saw riders head up the A39 to Camelford, then go across to Launceston before heading down the A30 to the Cornwall Services for the lunch stop. It was then back on the A30 down to Camborne and Beacon, where the usual minute's silence was observed in memory of Martin Jennings, who died competing in the 1987 Isle of Man Manx Grand Prix, and all other bikers who have died on Cornwall's roads.

The route then led riders through Troon, towards Helston and onto the A394 to Falmouth where the drove along North Parade, down High Street and up Killigrew Street, finishing at the rugby club.

"It was brilliant seeing all the people waiting for us along the route," said Mr Saunby. "I did get a bit emotional seeing them all out and backing the Jennings Run. People were in their gardens, on the road side and on bridges all along the route.

"I'm sorry if we did cause problems for people with delays, but it is a once a year event raising lots of money for local charities and remembering Martin Jennings."

Riders came from far and wide to attend, but former Falmouth man Sandy Barrie and his pal Malcolm Noble, probably made the biggest effort. The pair rode down from Lincolnshire on Saturday and drove back again on Monday.

Mr Barrie and Mr Saunby have been life-long friends, having met at Wellington Terrace School in Falmouth in 1957. "We have remained friends ever since and are now celebrating 60 years of our friendship," said Mr Saunby.