SPORTS car enthusiasts from a local motor club are gearing up for a grand reunion to celebrate 21 years since the launch of their club.

Members of the Preston and District MG enthusiasts club, who meet monthly at Fox Lane Cricket Club, in Leyland, are hoping for a huge turnout at their reunion in July.

And they are meeting up at the McKenzie Arms, in Station Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston, where the group was founded by printer Ian Storry and his pal Eric Smith.

Ian and Eric met on a petrol forecourt while re-fuelling their precious MGs, they chatted about their mutual interest in the great British classic and decided to set up a club.

After printing dozens of leaflets about the new club's first meeting, the pair put them under the wipers of every MG they saw and were stunned when more than 100 people turned up at the gathering in McKenzie's in July 1980.

Now they are hoping the reunion on July 7 will spark similar interest among past members and people interested in MG cars and classic models in general.

Treasurer of the club Alan Fowler, who owns a red BGT two-door MG, said: "We would love to see as many people as possible."

Then in September the car club are expecting hundreds of car enthusiasts from up and down the country to converge in Bamber Bridge for a drive to some of Lancashire's finest beauty spots.

Locations earmarked so far include towns and villages in the Ribble Valley including Clitheroe and Whalley as well as other picture-postcard destinations in Lancashire.

After arriving back in Leyland the car buffs are planning a grand barbecue and raffle at the McKenzie's with all proceeds going to the Guide Dogs for the Blind charity -- in honour of one of the club's non-driving member who is visually impaired.

Alan added: "We are inviting people from all over the country for the September run. We want to show them that it is not all Coronation Street in the north.

"People don't have to own an MG to join the club -- a genuine interest in cars will do. We are more like a social club. In summer we might do a fun driving test, we have speakers coming and go to other car events."

The club meets on the last Tuesday in every month at Fox Lane Cricket Club, in Leyland, at 8pm. For details about the club or any of the planned events call Alan Fowler on 424797.