HUNDREDS of scooter enthusiasts took toys and chocolate to ill children after riding from Lowton to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Saturday's annual great Easter Egg Run.

The 1,500 enthusiasts, riding Lambretta and Vespa models, had a full police escort as they travelled through Leigh, Atherton, Little Hulton, Walkden and Swinton to the Pendlebury hospital.

Crowds watched as the convoy, laden with goodies for the youngsters, made its way from Lowton Civic Hall to the hospital.

They arrived on the wards an hour later and distributed Easter eggs to sick children.

The event was organised by Kevin "Ginger" Lawton, from Atherton.

He organised the first event in 1987, when 150 scooters delivered toys and chocolate eggs to the hospital.

He described this year's event as the best ever.

He said: "It was quite spectacular. The turnout was so good partly because of the weather and partly because the event is so well known now.

"Everyone had a great time."

This year's event ended with a party at the Railway Hotel, in Atherton, which had donated 100 Easter eggs.