Harley Davidson chiefs are set to hold their annual Baildon Moor rally elsewhere this year - because of trouble from gate-crashers.

The news that the event - staged over the August Bank Holiday weekend and one of the biggest events in Baildon's calendar - could be held elsewhere has disappointed traders and villagers.

Last year the four-day event attracted more than 600 motorcyclists from across Britain and from as far away as Holland, France, Germany and Sweden.

Don Frear, Yorkshire representative for the Harley Davidson Riders Club of Great Britain, which organises the national rally, said: "It's held on a private site at Dobrudden Caravan Park and is open to members only, but last year there was a large number of gate-crashers.

"The national committee has told me it won't be holding the rally here this year because of that, but will hopefully come back again next year in time for the Harley centenary in 2002, with tighter security. I am annoyed about it and don't see why we can't implement the security they're talking about this year instead of waiting until 2003.''

Mr Frear added that he was negotiating with another riders' club in the hope of staging a smaller rally at Baildon.

Mick Bray, landlord at the Malt Shovel, from where the annual ride-out begins, said: "It's a great shame. The bikers bring a lot of income into the village - it's our busiest weekend of the year.''

Willie Waddell, manager of Baildon's Bay Horse pub, also said: "It's usually one of the busiest weekends of the year for us so this is a big blow for us and the whole village. It's a great shame because the rally brings in a lot of revenue."

Councillor John Cole (Lib Dem, Baildon) said: "I'd be very sad if they had to cancel it this year."