THOUSANDS of scooter and moped drivers gave the Easter Bunny the day off as they delivered a host of chocolate treats to sick children.

The annual Ginger's Easter Egg Run to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, at Pendlebury, took place on Saturday when young patients were presented with thousands of Easter eggs and toys.

More than 2,000 riders left Lowton Civic Hall at noon and travelled through Atherton and Leigh to the hospital.

Now its in 21st year, the run - widely considered to be the largest event of its kind in the world - also marked the 14th wedding anniversary of organisers Kevin "Ginger" Lawton and wife Caroline of Railway Street in Atherton. The two met on the Easter run to Pendlebury.

Kevin said: "The event was first started to get some good publicity for scooter riders. It has just got bigger and bigger. It is brilliant to see the smile on the youngster's faces when they see us arrive with the Easter eggs."

The 52-year-old stalwart of Bolton Spartans Scooter Club said: "We had riders from all over the country join us as well as from further afield."

The couple celebrated their anniversary with a function at Lowton Civic Hall and held a raffle and other fundraising events in aid of the children's hospital.