SCORES of children braved the heavy rain to enjoy a day in Southport on the Annual Bolton Children's Outing.

Up to 200 disabled and underprivileged youngsters were driven to the resort in style yesterday in 52 black cabs, private hire cars, minibuses -- and even a New York yellow taxi cab festooned with multicoloured balloons and banners.

Children, dressed as pirates and clowns, arrived at the meeting point at the Big W superstore in Manchester Road, Bolton, in eager anticipation of their trip to the Pleasureland amusement park.

They were accompanied by members of the Bolton Mountain Rescue team, the Greater Manchester Ambulance Service, and firefighters.

Bolton Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce, Lofty the Lion and the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Prentice Howarth, helped to send the children on their way.

The convoy set off, to a crescendo of noise from the taxi drivers beeping their horns, headed initially by the Mayor's car and with a police motorcycle escort.

The Bolton and District Taxi and Private Hire Drivers' children's outing has been run for more than 30 years, with taxi drivers giving up their time to ferry children to the seaside.

The appalling weather conditions yesterday did not dampen the spirits of the youngsters, as the convoy set off .

Stevie Hulmulton, aged 15, from Heaton, said: "It's the first time I've been to Southport, so I just can't wait. I'm really looking forward to going on the rides."

The Mayor said: "The taxi drivers do a great job to give up their time to take the children to Southport. Some kids have never been taken to the seaside before. It's marvellous what the taxi drivers do."

Organiser Dave Greenhalgh, said: "It's been such hard work to get everything organised, but it has paid off. It's a great event to be involved with, giving kids who may never have been to the seaside before the opportunity to do so.

"Bolton businesses have been superb, donating their time and products to help make this event a success. We want to make the fun day bigger and better next year, but it's going to take some beating after this year's event."

Mr Greenhalgh thanked the management of Bolton's Big W superstore who provided prizes for a sponsorship competition.