MORE than 120 motorbikes roared through Dorchester high street to help a care home resident’s special wish come true.

Lifelong motorbike fanatic Joe, who lives at Maiden Castle House care home, travelled in the side-car of a motorbike to the Top O’ Town car park where he was surprised to be met by 126 motorbike riders who then travelled with him through Dorchester.

Afterwards, the bikers were invited back to the care home in Gloucester Road for tea and cake while chatting with Joe about their shared love of motorbikes, much to the delight of Joe’s daughter, Nicola.

The special event took place in response to Joe’s wish to ride a motorbike for the first time in 20 years.

Emma Norman, activities lead at Maiden Castle House, put a ‘shout-out’ to the local biker community to organise a surprise motorbike rally for Joe – and they were keen to help.

Kind-hearted local residents who supported the event included John Bramble, who led the charge from the local Bikers for Action SW group; Richard Lucas provided a sidecar for Joe to sit in; and Will Badman captured photos so that Joe had mementoes of the day.

Joe said: “It was a great day and I didn’t expect so many people to be there. I enjoyed it very much.”

Ash Smith, home manager, said: “We were overwhelmed by the number of bikers who turned up to support Joe and the number of people who lined the streets to wave as he zoomed past.”