IT'S EGG Run time again!

An estimated 6,000 bikers are expected to take part in the annual event this Sunday, which aims to raise cash for the Globe-backed Jellybean Appeal.

Now in its 29th year, bikers also deliver Easter eggs to sick children at both Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge Hospitals.

The riders come from across Britain and mainland Europe to take part in the run, and its numbers rise every year.

The excitement this year is tempered slighly by the loss last summer of organiser Simon Owen, who worked tirelessly to get last year's event back to being "official" after a few years of problems with the council and Merseyside Police on managing the event.

On the official Egg Run website - www.wirraleggrun.co.uk - the committee members say: "Ater the success of the 2007 Run, one of the biggest we can all remember, we have a solid foundation on which to build.

"The tragic loss of Simon Owen over the summer hit us all hard. He worked tirelessly to get the Run back to official status and leaves a big hole in all of our lives.

"When the police rode with us in his funeral procession from the church on Harrison Drive to Frankby cemetery and then placed a wreath on his grave, we started to understand how much of an impression he had made and just how much good work he had done to include so many and pull the whole thing together.

"Our thoughts are still with partner Lisa and daughter Harriet, we send them our love and keep them in our hearts.

"Simon leaves us all his inspiration to make the Egg Run bigger and better and by so doing generate more for our Wirral kids."

This year's Egg Run starts at 10am on the dips at New Brighton promenade.

Riders are reminded that it is an open roads event and all bikes must be road legal machines, properly insured, and that the riders are licensed.

Sponsorship and donation forms are available from the official website.

Chairman Ian Kendrick praised Simon Owen and thanked everyone who has co-operated to ensure the run can take place smoothly.

"What won't be changing is the Run itself, or the spirit behind it," he said. "That is the core of what the whole thing is all about.

"I am really pleased to say that the police and council are being very supportive and trying hard to help us whilst encouraging us to make the Run as safe as we can for everyone.

"And above all - everything we do for the Egg Run is for the kids."

The run takes place between 10am and 2pm on Sunday and traffic delays can be expected on the following route:

Starting point: Kings Parade/Coastal Drive, New Brighton; Harrison Drive, Wallasey; Wallasey Village, Wallasey; Leasowe Road, Wallasey/Leasowe Pasture Road, Moreton; Hoylake Road, Moreton; Birkenhead Road, Hoylake/Meols; Market Street, Hoylake; Meols Drive, Hoylake/West Kirby; Grange Road, West Kirby; Hilbre View, West Kirby; Column Road, West Kirby/Caldy; Telegraph Road, Caldy/Heswall; Chester Road, Heswall; Chester High Road, Neston; Parkgate Lane, Neston; Neston Road, Thornton Hough; Thornton Common Road, Thornton Hough; Clatterbridge Road, Spital; Mount Road, Spital; Finishing point: Clatterbridge Hospital.

Don't forget to send us your Egg Run pictures!