THOUSANDS packed Weymouth's seafront yesterday for an adrenaline-fuelled afternoon of motocross.

The sun shone on the resort's golden sands drawing one of the biggest crowds of spectators the sport's national beach championships has ever seen.

Fearless riders in expert, senior and junior classes reached speeds of 80mph as they thundered round a one-mile course riddled with chicanes, jumps and hollows.

Weymouth and Portland's mayor Lynne Herbert gave the starting signal for the first of the event's six races - two races per class.

Spinning wheels sent sand flying and riders revved their bikes to clear the obstacles - much to the crowd's enjoyment.

Bends and jumps caused a few minor pile-ups but a team of paramedics standing by was not called to deal with any serious injuries.

Lap timers clocked all the 200 riders' race times and the top 10 fastest competitors in each category won trophies.

Sam Sunderland, 15, from Poole, scooped first place in the junior section, Chris Koch, from Dunstable, won the senior trophy and Tommy Wright, from Hampshire, was the top expert rider. Weymouth brothers Joe, 17 and Dean Clark, 15, of Granby Close, scored a double triumph by taking home trophies as Purbeck Motocross Club's best senior and junior competitors.

The event was organised by Purbeck Motocross Club and Weymouth and Portland Lions Club with the support of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

The day is expected to have raised more than £2,000 for good causes in the borough.

The Chairman of Purbeck Motocross Club, Alf Stearn, said: "Crowds were up on previous years because of the good weather.

"The riders performed brilliantly and their entry fees alone raised £1,000 for charity."

President of Weymouth and Portland Lions Club Howard Legg said: "It's great that so many people enjoyed the day. We run this to raise money for local good causes and provide entertainment for the community."

Next year's championships are to be held at Weymouth beach on October 16.