Acavalcade of lovingly preserved cars is back on the road, despite being threatened by the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Organisers confirmed last night that the Beamish Reliability Run, which is now in its 30th year, will take place next month, but in a reduced form.

About 100 cars, mostly from the vintage era, normally take part in the run, on mainly rural roads across County Durham and North Yorkshire, on the third Sunday in June.

But this year's event was in the balance because of the potential risk of vehicles inadvertently spreading the virus.

Following advice from various authorities, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the go-ahead was given only weeks before the date, on Sunday, June 17.

George Jolley, of the North-East Club for Pre-War Austins, said the traditional route had been revised to avoid farm land, covering only 91 miles instead of the usual 150, and all in County Durham.

The figure-of-eight route, twice passing through West Auckland, starts and finishes from the car park on the Beamish Museum site, near Stanley, where lunch will be taken at the mid-point.

Other places of interest along the route include Durham's DLI Museum and Art Gallery, Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle, and Crook and Bishop Auckland market places.

"We have delayed making the decision, but we wanted to go ahead in some form because so many events have been cancelled this year," said Mr Jolley.

"We have tried to respect the farmers by keeping off unfenced roads."

The reliability run is for pre-1950 vehicles, but there will also be a static display of vehicles from the 1950 to 1980 period, in the car park at Beamish.

Beamish is also hosting a Rover Car Club event, over the weekend of June 16 and 17.

Vehicles taking part in the run are tested for their safety and reliability, rather than speed.

Drivers are asked questions on the highway code of today and yesteryear, and on the history and maintenance of cars, at eight checkpoints during the course.

Anyone interested in taking part in the run should write to Mr Jolley, at 12 Celtic Crescent, Cleadon Village, Tyne and Wear, SR6 7RZ.

Entry forms for the static event are available from Derek Cansfield, at 5 Bankside, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1XD.