THE weather took a turn for the better and bathed hundreds of people in sunshine for the 10th annual Pendleside Tractor Run.

This year's event saw 137 of the farm machines take part in memory of Andrew Nutter who lost his life to cancer in 2009 aged 40.

It set off from the family's Sabden Old Hall Farm in Sabden Fold , led by brother Brian, 47, on Andrew's beloved Massey Ferguson tractor 'Fergie'.

He still runs the business with mum Ruth, 69.

More than 400 people attended Saturday's tractor run organised by Andrew's sister Laura Standring and his best friend and neighbour Phil Sanderson.

They hope this year's biggest-ever event will raise thousands of pounds for the chemotherapy unit at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital and the Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

Many of those who attended had dressed up for this year's 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm' theme as animals from the song or as the farmer of the title himself while many tractors and trailers were decorated in the same vein.

Mrs Standring said: "It was an amazing event. The sun came out just in time.

"I think it was the biggest ever. 137 tractors is the most we have ever had.

"They came from all over Lancashire and some from across the hills in Yorkshire.

"Many more people entered in the spirit of the day and came dressed up as Old MacDonald or his animals than I expected.

"Lots of the tractors were decorated and everybody really enjoyed the day in the warm weather and lined the route.

"We are hoping to match last year's £7,000 for the Rosemere and Royal Blackburn Hospital chemotherapy ward."

The day was a real family affair with Mrs Standring's eight-year-old daughter running the tuck shop with her nephew Alfie, aged 8, while her 15-year-old daughter Tia and another nephew Ben, 14, manned the gate.

The run followed its traditional route taking in the villages of Higham, Fence, Barrowford, Blacko, Roughlee, Barley and Newchurch.

In its nine years the tractor run has raised £40,000.

It has more than 40,000 followers on Facebook.