THE iconic motorcycles used by the disbanded White Helmets are to be auctioned in Dorset - 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 in August, 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.

Although the famous machines 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 headquarters 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 next month.

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 that nobody else has 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 known as trick bikes which were used for the display team's human pyramid stunt. They have no rear suspension and are rigid and sturdy.

They also have locking throttle grips so that 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 and are ideal for someone looking for a restoration project.

Mr Whitney said: "They are iconic machines that have been seen by hundreds of thousands of people. This sale really does represent the end of an era.

"They are all spot on in terms of condition and have been well maintained.

"It is a real privilege to be able to sell them."

The White Helmets - dubbed 'the Red Arrows on wheels' - have thrilled crowds with their brilliant daredevil displays since 1927 but have been axed because they are seen to be out of date.

The auction takes place on November 5.