Bikers roared into Sandbach at the weekend – to launch the town's annual poppy appeal.

Crowds gathered around Sandbach War Memorial to watch the historic moment and listen to a short service by Rev Jeff Cuttell, branch chaplain of the Royal British Legion Bikers Branch.

Some of the riders are ex-service personnel but there many more just want to support the Royal British Legion through the Riders Branch.

The event is an annual one and marks the moment the Sandbach area starts collecting for the annual appeal.

Sandbach Mayor joined the Sandbach branch of the Royal British Legion and the Bikers Branch to launch this year's appeal. (Photo: Deborh Bowyer/Sandbach Nub News)

Rev Cuttell said: "As we launch the 2023 in the midst of yet more world crises, many would remember the sacrifices made by the few for our freedom."

He pointed out that peace and prosperity are not "bought cheaply" and highlighted the 1918 Great War when 38 million civilians and nearly a million soldiers, sailors and airmen, coming from fields and factories, families and farms, lost their lives.

The launch of this year's poppy appeal in Sandbach. (Photo: Deborah Bowyer/Sandbach Nub News)

"More names are added to the ever-rolling stream," he said. "Today we launch our poppy appeal locally with a simple act of remembrance."