LES Dawson's beloved red 1968 E-type Jaguar is to take pride of place in the Blackpool car run that had a special place in his heart for 25 years.

Comic Les never got the chance to show off his classic Jaguar in the Promenade event which, until recent years, was more of a showcase for veteran and vintage vehicles.

This week, widow Tracy has been polishing her late husband's pride and joy in readiness for its first-ever appearance in the Manchester to Blackpool run on Sunday (June 14).

She told the Citizen: "The Jaguar was his pride and joy but he never drove it in the Blackpool run.

"It wasn't open to classic cars then but we always entered in a Rolls Royce and he always loved being a part of it."

It was just three days after the 1993 event that Les died - but Tracy still takes his 30-year-old car for a regular airing along the seafront at Fairhaven, just a mile from the home the couple shared in Lytham.

On Sunday, it will join more than 100 veteran, vintage and classic cars in the annual run organised by the Lancashire Automobile Club.

The convoy will drive along Princess Parade at 3pm, accompanied by twelve members of the Kings Regiment who will collect money for the MRI scanner appeal - the charity that was closest to Les's heart.

Tracy said: "It is wonderful that his car will be a part of this event and that it will be helping to raise money for a cause that was so special to him.

"He would often drive it up to Fairhaven Lake and back and, on the odd occasion, to the Trough of Bowland and back.

"He enjoyed it a lot and I'm sure he would have been pleased to know it is helping the scanner appeal."

Event secretary Alwyn Davis said: "Les was a very strong supporter of this event for many years.

"One year we actually held up the start of the run, waiting for him to arrive by helicopter from a previous engagement."

"He was tremendously popular and it's very nice that his car will be a part of the rally."

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