A SCENE from the vintage motorcycle era will be recreated on rural roads in County Durham this weekend.

But the 30th Beamish Trophy Trial has been slightly curtailed because of the return of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Late amendments were made to the scheduled route to ensure Sunday's event was approved by the Government's Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The trial's ten off-road sections, traditionally a popular feature among owners of vintage, veteran and classic motorcycles and light cars, were already excluded.

But, after the recent re-emergence of foot-and-mouth, the Durham Classic Motorcycle Club, which organises the event, re-routed it to avoid all "blue box" infected areas.

It means the usual lunch stop-over in Allenheads has been scrapped in favour of a stop at the High Force Hotel, upper Teesdale.

Spectators will get a good chance to view the array of 72 entries, mostly lovingly preserved motorcycles dating from 1913-1973, in the hotel car park, off the B6277, between noon and 1.30pm.

Another popular vantage point, at the Westgate Ford crossing of the River Wear off the A689 Weardale road, remains part of the route, between 10.30 and 11am.

The trial starts and finishes at the King's Head Hotel, Lanchester, off the A691 Durham to Consett road, where all vehicles will pass through a precautionary wheel wash on departure.

The bikes will set off on the 98-mile route from 10am, with the first finishers expected to return to the hotel car park by about 3pm.