PARTICIPANTS are being sought for a long-established vintage vehicle event.

The 31st Beamish Trophy Trial will set off from the King's Head Hotel, in Lanchester, at 9am on Sunday, September 15.

Participants on motorcycles, in cycle cars, on tricycles and in micro-cars, all manufactured in 1977 or before, and in light cars pre-1941 will follow the usual route based on the 1920s Travers Trophy Trial and a South Shields trial of about 1925.

It covers nearly 100 miles of the Northern Dales in Durham, including Haggs' Bank, The Velvet Path and Stanhope Dene, with a checkpoint at Kilhope Mining Centre.

There will be a lunch stop as usual at Allenheads, where visitors will be able to view the bikes and cars in the old mine yard from noon, and participants are expected to arrive back at the King's Head at around 2.30pm.

The event, organised by the Durham Classic Motorcycle Club, includes the chance to win a range of trophies in different categories, such as best performance by a non-British machine, best performance by a military motorcycle, best performance by a new entrant and oldest combined age of vehicle and rider.

Pete Robson, secretary of the Durham Classic Motorcycle Club, said: "We expect an entry of 100-plus vehicles and riders, who follow the route using a detailed route sheet.

"We will be holding a road safety and motoring history quiz as usual, and all entrants will receive a commemorative lapel badge plus date bar."

Anyone wishing to sponsor or enter the event, or go along as a spectator, should contact Mr Robson on (0191) 371 0866.