Ten years after the death of a popular Cumbrian biker, an annual bike run held in his memory is growing in size.

More than 280 bikes turned out to take part in the Noel Daley Memorial Bike Run, which was set up by his friends and family to finish the journey he tragically never got to finish.

An experienced motorcyclist, Noel, then 37, was riding from Carlisle to Pooley Bridge on April 13, 2007.

But he never made it, after a collision with a tractor on the Eamont Bridge to Tirril road, near Penrith, claimed his life.

His sister, Helen Hughes, of Newfield Drive, Kingstown, Carlisle, said she still remembers the shock at hearing the news and the subsequent heartbreak of losing her little brother.

But she said the annual bike run, which has raised many thousands of pounds for charity over the years, has made it easier for friends and family to come to terms with that loss.

She said that the fact so many people are still supporting it 10 years on is a real comfort, knowing his memory still lives on.

"He was going to Pooley Bridge campsite, but he never got there. His friends wanted to finish that for him," she said.

"The first year there were 80 to 100 bikes, and last year it was up to about 220. This year was just unbelievable. There were upwards of 280.

"When it started out it was mainly just people who knew him. This year we had people from all over - Edinburgh, Newcastle, Birmingham. Word has just spread. We thought it would probably tail off gradually. We never envisaged it would get bigger year on year.

"Noel would have been thrilled. He wasn't in any bike club. He was just a 37-year-old lad who always loved bikes, had lots of friends and knew lots of people. He had no idea how much people thought of him."

Helen said as well as raising funds, they also use the annual event to promote the Think Bike campaign, encouraging motorists to take extra time to look for motorbikes to avoid future accidents.

People of all ages took part in Saturday's bike run, which set off from the Club Rock car park at Englishgate Plaza, Carlisle. Even Noel's mum Betty Daley, who is almost 85, took part in a side car.

Afterwards many of the bikers returned to the club for a party.

Helen said it is something the whole family like to be involved in, and the money they raise is a real tribute to her brother.

"It's hard to believe it's been 10 years. Everyone still misses him. We still talk about him most days," she said.

"I said to mum I know we all still miss him but look at all these people. She said she was so proud of him, of his legacy."

The money raised from this weekend's event will go to the Cumbria Wheelchair Sports Club, to make a difference to local people with disabilities - something Noel would have supported.

Helen added: "It's been wonderful. It shows to us that this man meant something. He wasn't just a bloke in leathers, he was a son and a brother and had a lot of friends who loved him.

"Ten years on that hasn't changed."