A vintage Ariel motorcycle has recreated a 1929 publicity stunt when a similar bike, supported on wooden floats, powered its way across the Channel and back. The event brought together the Pershore Plum Festival and the Ariel Owners Motorycle Club’s (AOMCC) annual meet, which was held in Pershore this year.

AOMCC club president Snr Ariel Atzori, who is in his mid-70s and from Milan, brought the bike across Europe from his home country to perform the daredevil stunt on the River Avon. His bike, also dating from 1929, sat atop replica wooden floats built by club member Ben Mitchell. The bike was then hoisted by a crane onto the river by staff from the Avon Navigational Trust.

Following the event, the AOMCC held their ‘Concours d’Elegance’ competition at the Plum Festival Family Fun Day in the town’s Abbey Park, which involved a line-up of various models judged by specialists, with festival-goers voting for their favourite.

For further details visit www.pershoreplumfestival.org.uk