EASTER eggs have been delivered to sick children across the North-East by a group of bikers.

The Easter Egg Run, organised by Durham’s motorcycle policing unit, set off from the Park and Ride facility on the A690 at Carrville, near junction 62 of the A1(M) at around 9.30am this morning. (Sunday March 31)

Officers first staged the rally taking eggs and toys to children spending the holiday period in hospital in 2005 and it is now an annual event.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “Contributions are also collected for the Meningitis Research Foundation with £900 raised last year.

“The run attracts several hundred riders from across the region, who along with their police escort, visit the area’s hospitals.”

After heading down the A167 to Darlington and the town’s Memorial Hospital, the convoy heads back north to visit the children’s ward at the University Hospital of North Durham.

The event concluded with a get-together at police headquarters, Aykley Heads where the motorcycle team provided refreshments and handy guidance and advice on bike-related issues.

A date has also been set for the force’s annual ‘BikeWise’ show, which is to take place at police HQ, Aykley Heads on Sunday, July 28.