MORE than 200 bikers have pledged to attend a replacement Easter Egg Run this weekend after the original event was cancelled by Durham Police.

The run, which sees bikers deliver Easter eggs to children in Darlington and Durham hospitals, was hugely popular with the region’s bikers and had been organised by Durham Police motorcycle unit since 2005.

Cuts to the unit forced officers to axe the event this year but Hartlepool biker Tony Hudspith stepped in to organise it himself and has been delighted with the response from the biking community.

He said: “I am expecting 250 to 300 bikers to attend which just goes to show what a wonderful biking community we have.

“We are all looking forward to the public coming out of their houses again as they do each year, waving flags, clapping their hands and shouting encouragement from the roadside.”

Mr Hudspith thanked the management at the Tesco store in Dragonville, Durham, for allowing the car park to be used as a starting point and for donating Easter eggs to the cause.

The route has now been confirmed as travelling from Durham to Darlington along the A167 and bikers are asked take along an Easter egg or donation and meet at Tesco on Sunday at 10am for registration and a 10.30am start.

Updates will be posted on the facebook page Durham Easter Egg Run 2014.