THIS THURSDAY is the first Southampton Bike Night, starting time is 6.

30pm and the venue is around' Pizza Bites opposite Hein Gericke on Commercial Road.

I say around' because the larger than anticipated group, that turned up for the meeting to discuss the idea, wanted to start proceedings now rather than wait for the intended venue to be cleared of boats.

Bike Nights will be every other Thursday and £1 is requested from everyone to provide funds for charity donations.

The events will be run by volunteers.

There's no club, no affiliation to any groups and no-one will be taking any administration fees.

Rick Bentley of Hein Gericke and Fiona Wilson of Pizza Bites started talking about the idea of Southampton having a bike night that would generate money for charity.

The growing support for that idea proves how right they were.

Fiona isn't trying to make money while the bikes meet beside her eatery, she'll be making a donation to the charity of the night - in this case the Children's Heart Foundation.

BBC Radio Solent presenter (and biker) Charlie Crocker will be selecting Bike of the Night, so clean your ride and come down to the first of what promises to be a good thing for biking.

Everyone and all bikes are welcome, but please, keep the noise down and no displays of skill - this is a residential area and they would only bring things to a swift close.