ABOUT 500 classic cars are expected to take part in the Ripon Old Cars Gathering on Sunday.

The event at Clotherholme Farm on the outskirts of the city is in aid of Yorkshire Cancer Research and raised a record £12,000 last year.

Organiser Len Wadsworth is hoping to go one better this year as a thank you for treatment he received when he was diagnosed with cancer.

"When I was having treatment, my wife, Patricia, and I travelled daily to Cookridge Hospital, in Leeds, for 30 days in my 1953 split-screen Morris Minor," he said.

"While I was having radiotherapy I decided there and then that I was going to organise this event as a way of saying thank you."

As well as the classic and vintage cars, motorcycles, military vehicles and tractors, the programme includes an auto-jumble sale, a duck race, music and a magic show.

Gates open at 10am. Admission is £2.50 for adults, with accompanied children under 14 admitted free.

The Classic Car Gathering is in its ninth year and has raised about £30,000 in total.