THE North’s premier motorcycle show has been postponed.

The Manchester Bike Show should have taken place in a couple of weeks’ time on March 28 and 29 at the Event City Exhibition Centre in Manchester.

It is the latest big event to be cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak after the Australian Grand Prix and the Qatar Motorcycle Grand Prix suffered the same fate.

Now in its ninth year, it had grown to become one of the biggest shows of its kind in the country.

Most of the major manufacturers were to be there displaying their new models.

After taking advice from the local health authorities, the organisers regretfully decided to postpone the show in the interest of public health.

A statement said: "We have had no choice but to postpone the Manchester Bike Show due to the coronavirus outbreak.

"Right up to the start of this week we thought we would be able to run the event, albeit with a reduced attendance of exhibitors and visitors.

"However in the last few days national and international events have moved on so quickly that in the end this decision became inevitable.

"Rather than booking a date in May or June this year and risk having to postpone the event again we have decided to come back on 27/28 March 2021."

The Club Zone had filled up within a few days of entries being accepted.

More than 40 clubs would have displayed around 500 of their members’ machines and memorabilia.

Scattered about the halls were to be another 750 privately entered machines of every make and engine size.

Over 100 trade stands were booked in too, retailing everything from expensive helmets and clothing etc to a humble spark plug.

Amongst the many schedued exhibits was the specially built Triumph that Guy Martin used to recreate that epic leap over the fencing into Switzerland in the film The Great Escape.

There’s bound to be a lot of disappointed enthusiasts.

But spare a thought for me too.

I’d pre-booked a hotel near the show which is right opposite the Trafford Centre so no prizes for guessing where I`ll be getting dragged off to instead!

The organisers were looking to rearrange another date later this year.

But after taking more up-to-date advice they have cancelled the show until next March.

Visitors who had purchased pre-show tickets are being contacted regarding refunds.