MORE than sixty motorcyclists battled it out at an event to promote road safety - one of them got to ride away on a brand new motorcycle.

Organised by local dealer Geoff Street the aim was to make young motorcyclists aware of the dangers on the road.

At the centre of the Motorcycle Extravaganza, held on August 5, 1979, was a competition involving riding skills and questions on the highway code devised by Hampshire police.

A total of 62 riders took part and the winner of a new bike was David Neal of Bursledon.

The event was opened by actor Chris Quenten, Brian Tilsley from Coronation Street, who talked about his interest in motorcycling in an interview over the sound system.

Among the schoolboys from Waltham Chase and Waterside Motorcycling Clubs was five-year-old David Miles of Woolston, Southampton.

Members of Southampton Vikings Motorcycle club displayed their skills in a competition which involved riding up the back of a VW Beetle car, over a pile of tyres and along planks of wood.

It was won by former trials champion, Geoff Chandler of Shirley, Southampton.