NOT even driving rain and howling winds could dampen the spirits of thousands of people who took part in the great charity walk to raise £150,000 for the Superscan Appeal.

Walkers clad in fancy dress came from all over East Lancashire on Sunday to walk along the new seven-mile stretch of the M65 extension.

The turnout of 5,000 people for Motorway Walk '97 overwhelmed organisers who saw their £100,000 target smashed as folk went fund-raising crazy.

The sell-out collection of 6,000 Reebok scanner T-shirts boosted the total raised by £18,000.

Youngsters of all ages and members of local firms, hospitals, charities and organisations join forces for the never to be repeated trek.

The Ossie Cloggers, Accrington's Blowjangles street band and miniature floats were some of the spectacles that brightened up the day.

Frank Teasdale, chairman of Burnley Football Club cut the tape to start the walk as Clitheroe town crier Roland Hailwood signalled the beginning of the stroll.

Once all the funds have been raised the scanner will be housed in Blackburn Royal Infirmary and will serve people from across East Lancashire.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.