NOW then, now then! Sir Jimmy Savile OBE led the way to Blackpool Pleasure Beach this week for the 49th trip of the Manchester Taxi Driver's Organisation.

The group take handicapped children from the Manchester area on a bumper day out each year and this year's 400 lucky children and their carers arrived in a convoy of black cabs, mini buses and coaches on Tuesday amid blaring horns and hooters.

The Pleasure Beach press office said: "All the children enjoyed a fabulous day out on all the rides with a meal on the park and we look forward to welcoming them back to celebrate their 50th year."