Truckers take youngsters to seaside for 39th event

Eighty-eight children were treated to a special day riding in convoy in the carriages of trucks and lorries to the seaside.

Members of the children's charity, East Coast Truckers, returned for their 39th annual event for young people who are disadvantaged or have disabilities.

They left Norwich on Sunday for an afternoon at Pleasurewood Hills theme park in Lowestoft, across the county border in Suffolk.

Organiser Trevor Howlett said the crowds lining the streets made it feel "really special for the children, making them and the drivers feel like celebrities".

The trucks were driven in convoy back home via Great Yarmouth's Golden Mile, escorted along the route by police cars.

Twins Aaron and Luke, from Watton in Norfolk, enjoyed what will be their last trip, having reached 16.

The pair, who have cerebral palsy, took part in the convoy before, when they were aged four and again when they were 10.

Their mother Kristina said her son Aaron had a "fantastic time".

"He enjoyed sitting in the cab of the lorry, seeing all the people who line the street wave to him," she said.

"He said he had never seen so many people. The memories from Sunday are going to last him a lifetime."

Twin Luke particularly enjoyed the rides at the theme park, she added.

Kristina said what the charity did for the children was "truly incredible".

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