Bikers have hit back this week at comments made by a Lib Dem politician about weekly meetings held at a pub in Lydiate.

Richard Clein, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Prospective Candidate for Sefton Central, called last week for pressure to be put on riders who fall foul of the law, but his comments have prompted an angry response from the region's motorcycle enthusiasts who meet at The Scotch Piper, on Southport Road.

"A very small percentage of the bikers who go to the Scotch Piper on a Wednesday evening will do stupid things and break the speed limit, and they should be punished for this behaviour, however the majority of those who go deplore this kind of behaviour as it can only further tarnish the bad reputation that people have of bikers," said Ross Ferguson, a Maghull resident with more than 35 years of riding experience.

"I think that Mr Clein should go and meet the bikers on a Wednesday night and ask them himself what they think of this type of behaviour, I feel he may be surprised by the answers he receives. He would also find out that the police are in fact present throughout the evening at the Scotch Piper most weeks."

The Scotch Piper's biker nights on Wednesday evenings are a popular draw for motorcycle enthusiasts throughout the summer, with the pub's own website estimating that around 300 riders regularly meet there.

Mr Ferguson also pointed out that the bikers provide a valuable boost for the local economy, with riders regularly supporting a fundraising food venture provided by the 5th Sefton East Scout group during the meets, as well as riders buying petrol and food locally.

The Scotch Piper's owners also told The Champion that they fully supported the motorcycle meetings, and said that problems were few and confined to a very small number of riders.

Mr Clein said he acknowledged the response from motorcycle riders, and accepted the invitation to meet with them at the Scotch Piper to discuss the issue.

"What they've said about the problems being down to a small minority of bikers is true, and I'm happy to meet with them to smooth things over," he said.

"However we do need to ensure that residents are not having their lives being made miserable by antisocial behaviour from bikers, even if it is a very small minority of them. But I do not want to tarnish the reputation of the majority of responsible riders."

The Scotch Piper has been running regular biker nights throughout the summer for a number of years.

By David Simister