Police have appealed to motorcyclists to drive safely

Motorcyclist deaths in England and Wales have risen by a quarter in the last year, a BBC investigation has revealed.

Figures gathered from 26 police forces by BBC One's Real Story programme show that 360 bikers and pillions were killed this year, compared to 288 in 2002.

The increasing death and injury toll may be partly explained by the long, dry summer but police insist speed is a significant factor.

In North Yorkshire, where a new breed of bikers called the 200-miles-an-hour club have been caught racing on public roads, police say this has been their worst ever year for motorcycle accidents.

There's a hardcore of riders who'll go faster than anyone else - that's the whole buzz Sammy, biker

"Our top speed has been 144.7 miles per hour in a 60 limit," says road traffic officer John Lumbard.

Police in the county have been using unmarked cars, fines and points to deter speeding bikers.

But members of the 200-miles-an-hour club, who love the adrenaline rush of driving fast, continue to compete to reach the highest speed.

One biker calling himself Sammy said: "You can see everything at 70 miles. At 200 you just see the road and the speed is an awesome buzz."

"There's a hardcore of riders who'll go faster than anyone else - that's the whole buzz."

The dangerous craze is causing concern among other road users, including fellow bikers.

"They do wheelies and often a group of them will head out to race one another from point to point," said Officer Lumbard.

"Bikers are one of the few road users where fatalities are actually increasing."