A new motorcycle event called the Brackley Festival of Motorcycling has been announced and will take place on Sunday, August 23.

The event will take place in Brackley town centre and the organisers are currently seeking permisson to close off the town centre to allow international stunt rider Craig Jones to show his skills along High Street.

There will also be a host of side attractions including classic bike displays, riding skills demonstrations and street entertainers, and a request has been made to the Red Arrows for a fly-past.

Northants Police’s Casualty Reduction Partnership will also be providing scooter experience rides for young people.

The organiser Mac MacConnell, who is a Brackley community police officer, hopes to draw around 4,000 motorcyclists to the event, he said “There is quite a large motorcycling industry in and around Brackley and I thought wouldn’t it be great to get everyone together to promote businesses in the area and to let the people of Brackley get up close to some fantastic motorbikes.

“We’ve done quite a bit of research and there’s not much going on around that time, and we think it will be a great way to promote Brackley in the year before the Moto GP comes to Silverstone.

“We’re not only encouraging the motorcycling industry to get involved but all the businesses around Market Place and the rest of the town. And it’s not just about motorcycling, there’ll be plenty for families to do, street entertainers and areas set aside for children.”

Brackley Yamaha, are sponsoring the event and also expected to attend are UK Yamaha, Silverstone Harley Davidson, UK Choppers and the GSE Race Team.