THEY MAY have chugged into retirement many years ago, but that will not stop about 20 magnificent old jalopies turning out for a rally this weekend.

Shiny old fire engines, distinctive double-decker buses and long-forgotten recovery trucks will be making an appearance in this year's Bill Wilkinson Memorial Run.

Dedicated to Mr Wilkinson, a long-standing member of the North-East area of the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society who died in 1996, the popular run is between Gateshead and Shildon this year.

The collection of lovingly restored vehicles will be on display at Gateshead Civic Centre car park from 10.30am on Sunday. They will then be waved off by civic dignitaries before wending their way to the Timothy Hackworth Victorian and Railway Museum, at Shildon.

The rally will leave Gateshead at 11am, travelling via Low Fell to Birtley, then on the A167 to Rushyford, passing through Middridge and on to Shildon town centre.

Anyone interested in joining the society can contact members on 0191-528 4106 and anyone wanting more details on the Shildon run should contact Malcolm Paul on 0191-410 0431