A POPULAR motorcycle festival often hailed as the ‘start of the season’ will return to Gloucestershire again next month.

The Prescott Bike Festival will feature a large display of historic, modern and race bikes along with a multitude of other displays and activities.

Held at Prescott Hill Climb, home of the prestigious Bugatti Owners’ Club, in Cheltenham on Sunday, April 12, the festival is, for the first time, offering test rides featuring the KTM Adventure fleet.

The festival gives attendees the unique opportunity to get up close and see lots of historic, classic and race bikes and watch them run the historic hill climb course.

Amongst the bikes at the festival are:

• A prototype 1927 Velocette KSS 350cc - affectionately known by enthusiasts across the world as ‘Spring-Heeled Jack’ - the only one ever built at Hall Green in Birmingham

• A 1962 Honda RC163 250cc 4-cylinder racer replica as ridden by Jim Redman and Mike Hailwood

• The iconic 1962 BSA Rocket Gold Star 650cc - one of only 1370 built

• A 1963 Norton Manx 350cc Reverse Head built by Ray Petty

A number of special guests will also be attending the festival. Amongst them are four-time World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty, three-time British Superbike Champion and Blood Bike ambassador John Reynolds and adventurer Charley Boorman, best known for making an epic 20,000-mile journey across the globe with Ewan McGregor.

All of the proceeds from the event will be given to the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and Severn Freewheelers.

Gates will open at 08.30am and the festival closes at 5pm. Advance tickets are available at www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk. Free parking, free motorcycle side stand puck and free helmet park is available for bikers.