HORDES of scooter riders from around Europe will descend on Lowton, near Leigh, for the annual Ginger's Easter Egg Run this weekend.

Up to 1,600 scooter riders will begin their trip from Lowton Civic Hall at 12 noon on Saturday and ride in convoy through Lowton, Leigh and Atherton to Pendlebury Children's Hospital, where they will deliver eggs and toys to young patients.

The 16th Ginger's Easter Egg Run is based round a weekend rally held at the Civic Hall. There will be a free campsite, a daytime show with various stalls, games and night-time discos.

Last year's event saw 1,500 scooter riders deliver more than 2,000 Easter Eggs and toys.

Atherton scooter enthusiasts Caroline Lawton, secretary of the event, and her husband Ginger, have built up the event into an international spectacle. Caroline said: "The main idea is to deliver toys and eggs to the sick kids in hospital, with the plan to make their stay in hospital over the Easter Holidays much more comfortable -- and even add a bit more excitement.

"This year's event has a more than usual European feel to it, with people travelling from as far afield as Germany, Ireland and from all over the British Isles."