The iconic motorcycles used by the disbanded White Helmets are to be auctioned – but it is feared none of the riders will be able to afford to buy their beloved bikes.

After the Blandford-based Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team performed their last ever event, their 30 Triumph bikes were split up.

Most were returned to the manufacturer while others have been given to sponsors.

The Army has given permission for six of them to be sold to the public at an auction in Sherborne on November 5.

Although the bikes have been given pre-sale estimates of £6,000 each they are likely to fetch double if not treble that figure.

Ever since the announcement that the White Helmets were to disband earlier this year motorbike enthusiasts have inundated the Royal Corps of Signals with requests to buy one of their Triumphs.

The riders themselves have also enquired about buying the bikes they have spent years rehearsing and performing spectacular stunts on, including the classic human pyramid.

But is it likely they will be outbid when the six bikes go under the hammer.

Matthew Whitney, of Charterhouse Auctioneers of Sherborne, said: “We have had interest from some of the riders who have already asked about buying them but they have to go to auction.

“There is a fear they will be priced out of it.

“We would hope some of them go to museums like Beaulieu, but we are expecting a lot of interest from individual collectors.

“These will be collectors of motorcycles who want to add something to their collection or fans of the White Helmets who have fond memories of seeing them as a child and now have the resources to buy one of the bikes.

“We expect to be packed to the rafters on the day of the sale.”

The six Triumph Bonneville bikes, that are similar to the machine Steve McQueen rode in The Great Escape, were hand built in 1999 by LF Harris International of Newton Abbot, Devon, which bought the rights to Triumph.

The six bikes, that have 750cc twin engines, are numbered 11, 14, 15, 16, 29 and 30. They have red and black fuel tanks.

Two of them are trick bikes which were used for the team’s human pyramid stunt. They have no rear suspension and are rigid and sturdy.

They also have locking throttle grips so a speed can be set for when the riders go hands free.

The other four bikes are more conventional and were used for acrobatic tricks, like jumping through a hoop of fire.

All the machines come with a dossier that contains the service history of the bike and information about the previous riders. It is estimated they have covered approximately 250,000 miles.

Three incomplete Triumphs are also being sold in bits.