A big squad of burly bluebeard bikers will be roaring through East Ayrshire this weekend and they're hoping to draw the crowds and get them talking...

A cavalcade of big shiny motorbikes and men and women with blue beards might be spectacular enough on the roads between Kilmarnock and Cumnock, but they'll be led by East Ayshire's biker Provost, Jim Todd who is hoping to court controversy with the ride.

He explains: "I'm sure the sight of a mob of bluebeards on motorbikes will be controversial enough but the real aim of our ride is to promote awareness of prostate disease and the devastating effect it can have on men's health. We're doing this "Ride for Dad" for the many older men who are affected. Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in Scotland, but it is very treatable if caught early. The biggest problem is getting men to recognise the early symptoms and seek help quickly. Men are not good at seeing their doctors and very good at ignoring their own health concerns. We aim to change that by supporting Prostate Cancer UK in their campaign to raise awareness and get men to be less embarrassed about seeking medical advice.

"If members of the biking community aren't too embarrassed to come out wearing blue beards to support my cause, we hope we can prove that discussing your health and knowing the symptoms is far less frightening than it might seem."

Provost Todd and his posse of hairy bikers will leave the Dean Castle Park, Kilmarnock at 11.00am on Sunday 4 August and tour to Cumnock's Rothesay House before returning to Kilmarnock via John Finnie Street just before 2.00pm. The Ride for Dad will finish in the Dean Castle Country Park with live music, refreshments and food available from the visitor centre cafe for the public. The bikers, who have pledged to raise money for the Prostate Cancer UK, will enjoy hot filled rolls and cakes supplied by Ferguson's Bakers and Braehead Express who are kindly supporting the Provost's charitable efforts for the day.

http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/PoliticiansElectionsAndDemocracy/Council-GeneralInformation/ProvostLordProvost-GeneralInformation/RideforDad.aspx