MASSES of Mods will travel from all over Europe to the world's biggest scooter event in Lowton. Last year a record 1,500 machines, ranging from classic Lambrettas and Vespas of the 1950s and 60s, went on Kevin "Ginger" and Caroline Lawton's mercy mission ferrying mountains of Easter eggs to appreciative young patients at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital at Pendlebury.

The scooter addicts from Atherton were amazed when visitors from as far afield as New Zealand rolled up for last year's record-breaking rally -- renowned throughout the scooter world as "Ginger's Easter Egg Run".

"It was amazing," said Caroline, "last year's event was the biggest event of its type in the world. This year is the 14th and the run is still as popular as ever."

A mile long convoy of riders and passengers will meet up at Lowton Civic Hall on March 30 and 31 for a weekend rally and mercy mission which brings cheery smiles to the young patients, rallyists and intrigued locals.

One of the stars of the show will be a hand-made Easter commissioned by Caroline's employers Transco and donated to the organisers.

She told the Journal : "The start of the run has been put forward to noon on Saturday, an hour earlier than usual, because there are three big football matches on that day and we need police escorts due to the numbers of machines and people taking part."

Classic scooter fanatics Ginger and Caroline will be on their old favourites.

Caroline explained: "I'll be on my pride and joy, a Lambretta TV200 made in 1964, the same year as me. For us the old style scooters are the real thing but we do get a lot of people taking part on modern scooters -- it doesn't matter, they are all welcome. Last time we delivered over 2,000 toys and eggs, we hope to do the same this year."

The weekend rally at Lowton will include competitions for concours and custom classes and prizes for the best from the classic era. A bonus for rallyists will be a disco with top DJs and Northern Soul sounds.