HUNDREDS of riders donned their cravats and tweaked their moustaches to join the Bournemouth and Poole Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride.

Hundreds of people stopped to watch as the dignified parade made its way from Poole Quay to Bournemouth School.

The group commanded attention when it stopped at Bournemouth Pier, attracting crowds of people who clapped and took pictures as they passed.

Men and women of all ages had made an effort and dressed up for the occasion, riding a stunning collection of vintage or classic-styled motorbikes.

The ride was one of 650 fund raising events taking place in towns and cities across 95 countries.

And with 549 registered riders, it was the biggest ride in England outside of London.

The rides were organised to shine a spotlight on men's health issues with particular focus on suicide and prostate cancer.

Around one million people around the world lose their lives to suicide and prostate cancer every year and the positive event promotes wellbeing in a bid to stop men dying too young.

Many of those taking part have been personally affected.

The event ended with a social gathering at Bournemouth School in East Way where participants had a chance to meet up with old friends or make new acquaintances.

The Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride was founded in Sydney, Australia in 2012 and brought together 2,500 riders across 64 cities.

Since then it has grown every year and raises millions of pounds for charitable causes.

Following the death of a ride host to depression in 2016, the event has turned its attention to funding men's mental health programmes as well as prostate cancer research through the Movember Foundation.

The Bournemouth and Poole ride was led by Ian McLennan, head of Year 7 and a physics teacher at Bournemouth School.

He has led assemblies on men's health at the boys' school and pupils have been involved in fund-raising for the ride.

He said: "The ride went incredibly well and we raised more than £30,000. There were 41 rides in England with the London ride attracting 850 riders, followed by us at 549. "We think more people joined us on the road who were not registered so it's more likely that there were around 650 of us."

He said the money was raised mainly through sponsorship but there was also a raffle at the social gathering and food traders at the event made donations.