There are some strange goings on in the little known village of Xyris on the Hill.

Motorcyclists are flocking to the Guide Inn, in Keighley Road, near Cullingworth, to have their photographs taken with the village sign.

But if you've never heard of Xyris on the Hill, that's because the village has been invented by Bradford biker David Wilson.

It is all part of a campaign to raise cash for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which helps to save scores of lives every year on Yorkshire roads.

Mr Wilson, 47, launched a challenge which invited bikers to travel around the county in search of towns and streets with names starting with each letter of the alphabet.

But when he attempted to complete the sponsored challenge himself, he came across a major hurdle: There are no towns or streets in Yorkshire starting with the letter X.

That led the bikers to invent a number of new villages, including Xylem in the Wood, Xyridales, Xanadu and Xyris on the Hill, at the popular Guide Inn.

Scores of enthusiasts are now taking up the challenge and having their photograph taken at town and village signposts around the region -- including the new X-rated locations.

"A lot of motorcyclists are very keen to do something for the air ambulance because it has come to the aid of so many of us," said Harley Davidson rider Mr Wilson.

"We don't know exactly how many have taken part, but there's been a lot of interest even though it is not really the biking season yet."

John Sutherland, fundraising director for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: "The Yorkshire Air Ambulance provides rapid medical help to people in inaccessible situations across Yorkshire.

"Motorcyclists have been among our most enthusiastic fundraisers and we are really grateful to the Yorkshire Bikers for this imaginative idea."

Entry forms are available through the www.yorkshirebikers.co.uk web site or can be picked up at the Guide Inn.