Thousands of motorcyclists flocked to Kent for an annual meet-up which saw the coastline “overflowing” with bikes.

Every year, petrolheads ride out from the famed ACE Cafe in North Circular Road, London, and head to Margate on the late May bank holiday weekend.

The event, known as Margate Meltdown, celebrated its 15th anniversary today with another packed day of festivities.

Starting at 10.30am, about 2,000 riders were estimated to have attended the Meltdown - which does not allow cars, vans or quad bikes.

Pictures sent to KentOnline, plus footage taken from resident Dee Burger, show a huge collection of bikes lined up in streets across Margate, with riders having travelled from the A406 to Margate seafront on the A299.

Margate’s Mark Milham says the event attracted a “really remarkable turnout”.

"I love to go down and watch the bikes arriving, although it was already packed when I got there they were still arriving in their numbers,” he said.

"The noise was phenomenal with the continuous arrival of bikes and so many that they overflowed from the harbour up beyond the Winter Gardens."

Fellow resident Dee Berger added: "I live in Margate and have always enjoyed this annual event.

"It brings a great atmosphere to the town and you get to see an amazing variety of motorcycles."

Visitors listened to live music throughout the afternoon played by DJs Bill and George Guntrip, together with four-piece band Backbeat Jivers.

This year marks more than six decades since the seaside 'meetings' in 1964 of the Mods and Rockers during the Whitsun weekend.

The clashes were part of a wider conflict between the two groups which saw about 400 youths involved in Margate, resulting in 64 arrests.