MORE than 1,000 scooter riders from across the country and abroad braved the pouring rain to drive from Lowton to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, in the great Easter Egg Run.

The enthusiasts, all riding Lambretta and Vespa scooters, had a full police escort as they travelled through Leigh, Atherton, Little Hulton, Walkden and Swinton.

They arrived at the hospital around an hour later laden with Easter eggs which they dished out to sick children.

Organiser Kevin (Ginger) Lawton hailed the event a success despite the wet weather.

He said: "It went very well although the police had to withdraw their escort at the end of the run so they could go on a job in Manchester.

"It hampered us a little but we managed to get around 3,000 to 4,000 Easter eggs to the children."

Mr Lawton has been running the events since 1987 and since then Ginger's Easter Egg Run has become a highlight of British scooter clubs' year.

The annual event also caught the imagination of flag-carrying children who lined parts of the route to wave at the riders as they scooted past.

Two of the dozens of youngsters attempted to join the enthusiasts by riding the initial quarter mile on a push scooter.

A spectator, Simon Booth, 39, from Bury, said: "I've been coming to the run for a few years now. I love the buzz and the smell of fuel in the air. It's a really good atmosphere." A weekend rally was also held at Lowton Civic Hall.

Mr Lawton, from Atherton, added: "This year's event had a European feel with riders from Germany and Ireland. It was a pretty impressive sight."