A GROUP of maverick hogs have come together to make sure Hoggin' The Bridge comes back to Chepstow and the Forest in 2011

Last year's popular October mass ride over the Old Severn Bridge and through Wyedean attracted around 5,000 bikers into the town centre raising thousands of pounds for charity. But this year's event has hung in the balance for months after police pulled their support for marshalling and crowd control – part of a withdrawal from all events other than those of national significance.

To fill the gap, a group of hogs including ex-police sergeant Walt Waters and former organiser, Rod Bates from Caldicot, who's been dragged "kicking and screaming" from retirement, have joined forces with Chepstow Marketing to make sure this year's mass ride goes ahead.

"There's a lot of passion about Hoggin' the Bridge," says Cllr Jacqui Sullivan – who donned her leathers and took part in last year's Hog. "People really do love it and both the public and bikers have begged us to keep it going.

"What we're going to do is get on board a group of properly accredited and trained marshalls. What we need is help from any volunteers or voluntary organisations to help marshal at strategic points along the route, in car parks and to help with 'crowd control' as the bikes enter the High Street.

"So, if you're part of an organisation who would like to get involved in helping out at his fantastic event which raises so much money for charity please get in touch with me or Walt."

Contact Jacqui on 07981 262249, [email protected]">[email protected] or Walt Waters at [email protected]">[email protected]

•Withdrawal of police support for local events has already affected Chepstow Racecourse, which now employs accredited marshals, and will affect Chepstow Agricultural Show and the Carnival. A meeting later this month will be held to discuss the way forward.