POOLE'S popular motorcycle meet, Dream Machines, is being scaled-back this year because of rising costs and a lack of volunteer marshals, it has been announced.

The bike night event, which has run in its current 26-week format for the past 15 years, will take place for just 18 weeks in 2017.

Organiser Poole Tourism says because of a lack of volunteers marshals, paid marshals have had to be drafted-in this year which has had a "major impact on the self-funding event."

Poole Tourism manager Graham Richardson explained: "The volunteer marshals have been crucial and over the last 15 years, provided 26 weeks of unpaid support to an event that was close to their hearts and benefited Poole hugely.

"Over the past few years their numbers have slowly fallen as people's circumstances change and finding committed replacements is difficult.

"This together with the attitude of a small minority of riders, particularly last year, has meant that we no longer have a team of volunteers to help, in spite of requests for support."

Last August the Daily Echo reported how violent scenes marred the end of one of Poole Quay's weekly Dream Machines bike night events.

Dorset Police were called after trouble flared following a minor collision between a motorcyclist and an event marshal.

While the event, held on Tuesday nights, remains popular, numbers attending across the entire season have fallen, says Poole Tourism.

This, together with the need to employ marshal's means instead of the event running weekly from April to the end of September, this year it will run every Tuesday from May until the end of August.

Also, while the regular bike of the week competition will continue, the bike of the year finale - usually held on the last meeting of the year - has been axed for 2017.

Mr Richardson said: "Without dedicated volunteer marshals we have to look at other ways to deliver the event so it continues to run safely and smoothly.

"This means employing paid marshals which adds significantly to the costs of the event.

"At a time when the council is facing a significant financial challenge to protect frontline services due to funding cuts, it is vital that we keep unplanned costs for this event to a minimum.

"Our thanks go to everyone who has played their part in helping at the event over the last 15 years they have been brilliant."

Motorbikes have been visiting Poole Quay regularly on Tuesday nights for more than 30 years.

Since 2002, when entry fees were first introduced, more than £40,000 has been donated to charities including Dorset Air Ambulance, the Youth Cancer Trust and Shine Cancer Support.

Last year £1,500 was donated to DocBike and £150 to the Old Town Community Group.