SHOPPERS stopped, stared and applauded as masses of scooters sped past on a famous mercy mission to brighten the lives of children in hospital.

Around 1,000 scooters carried 1,500 riders and passengers on Saturday's 14th annual "Ginger's Easter Egg Run" which resulted in a two wheeler convoy from Journal-land delivering thousands of chocolate surprises to delighted youngsters at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

"It was brilliant, we had visitors from Ireland, Scotland, Jersey, the Continent and a couple from the United States," said Atherton-based organiser and scooter fanatic Ginger Lawton, who with his scooter loving wife, Caroline, spend countless hours ensuring the event runs to perfection.

Lorry driver Ginger related how the idea of the scooter run started because he was keen to improve on the public's image of contemporary mods after the scooter scene had never really shaken off its 60s' image blackened by the Clacton and Brighton "mods and rockers" clashes.

"I just thought it would be a good idea to improve that image and hopefully our work over the years has done that," said Ginger.

On Saturday Lambretta lovers Ginger, on his green and white GP200, and Caroline on her cream and burgundy TV200 joined the hordes of other like-minded scooterists for two days of rally fun centred on Lowton Civic Hall.

The mid-day Saturday ride-out passed through Lowton, Leigh, Atherton and then on to Four Lane End and along the A6 through Little Hulton, Walkden and Swinton then to the children's hospital at Pendlebury.

There the scooters -- a mixture of classics, moderns and custom specials -- filled much of the available car parking space while a deputation delivered the goodies to appreciative children. Star egg was a special commissioned by event sponsors and Caroline's employers Transco which was concocted by craftsmen at Waterfield's Leigh bakery. Now the egg will be raffled off to raise funds for the hospital.

Around 200 Easter eggs were donated by scooter-friendly pubs -- the Railway Hotel and The Albion in Bag Lane, Atherton -- and more support came from Cooke Bros van hire (Atherton) and ESB Motorcycles (Leigh and Bolton). Top DJ Digger kept the ride out rallyists happy as they danced the night away at the packed Civic Hall.

Scooter enthusiasts are welcome at Ginger and Co's regular Sunday gatherings at the Bag Lane pub in Atherton, which start at 3pm. The next big event is the St George's Day party on April 23.