A HUNDRED mods and rockers took part in a ride across North Yorkshire to help Normandy Veterans return to France for the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Scooter riders and bikers gathered at the Eye of York yesterday for the annual John Martin Memorial Run to Cropton, near Pickering, in memory of York scooter rider “Vespa John”, who died three years ago.

Joining them were several members of the York branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, who are trying to raise about £18,000 to pay for their poignant trip in June next year.

Ken Smith, 88, of Wheldrake, who has just become branch secretary following the death of Cyril Haworth, said it would be the branch’s last activity before it was wound up. He hoped lottery funding would help meet the costs of the trip, but said he could not count on that at this stage.

Nick Beilby, of York Inset Scooter Club, which organised the rally in conjunction with Ryedale Riders, said the proceeds would be divided between the assocation and Ryedale Special Families.

He said the 60s and 70s “myth” of bad feeling between mods and rockers had long gone, and the bikers and scooter riders were happy to ride out together in one group. “We are all middle-aged blokes now!” he said.