A MAGNIFICENT sum!That was the response of organisers of the final Eastern Lights get together which was held at Lowestoft's Royal Green.More than 1,500 bikers converged on the town at the end of July following the cancellation of the popular motorcycle cavalcade ride from Norwich to Lowestoft.

A MAGNIFICENT sum!

That was the response of organisers of the final Eastern Lights get together which was held at Lowestoft's Royal Green.

More than 1,500 bikers converged on the town at the end of July following the cancellation of the popular motorcycle cavalcade ride from Norwich to Lowestoft.

But last week there was a double boost - as more than �9,000 was handed over to the James Paget University Hospital, in Gorleston, and it was also announced that the charity event will return to the town's streets once more in a new format in 2010.

Despite the motorcycle cavalcade being cancelled earlier this year, bikers still raised �9,080 for the hospital's A&E unit by donating their fees.

Organisers presented a cheque to matron Julia Hunt of the hospital's emergency care services and it will be used to buy additional resuscitation equipment to enhance the service for patients.

Ms Hunt said: 'The total raised in the eight years of this event is almost �66,000. Eastern Lights are now one of the major fundraisers for the unit.'

Eastern Lights committee spokesman Paul Howard said: 'We can look forward to next year and we have now fixed a date for an event on Sunday, July 25.'

The cavalcade will take place in Suffolk and a meeting with Suffolk Police is being planned.

Mr Howard praised the support that Eastern Lights had from sponsors and he also thanked Waveney MP Bob Blizzard and Lowestoft Mayor Malcolm Cherry for their support.