With their classic Vespa and Lambretta machines, the members of the Victorians Scooter Club are among the newest regulars at the Victoria pub in Witham.

The club was set up around eight months ago in the wake of the popular Mersea Island Rally.

Now the 20 members, aged from early 20s to 40s, meet twice a month to swap scooter stories and advice. They stress they are merely scooter fans and are keen to distance themselves from 60s mod culture.

Founder member, Dave Baldwin, explained that members attend rallies at Great Yarmouth, Clacton and Southend as well as enjoying local road runs.

"The scooter scene is really a summer thing so we formed the club to keep everyone together in the winter months. A lot of these machines are 20 to 30 years old so they need a few repairs now and then, but we all seem to rally round and help each other."

The club meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month and a barbecue and dance are planned.

The club is a welcome addition to the pub scene for landlords, Martyn and Lynette King. Last year winners of the regional Community Pub of the Year competition, the couple make it their business to encourage local groups. They took over four years ago and have since raised over £2,000 a year for local charities.

As well as the scooter club the pub is a home base for five football teams, ladies' and men's darts teams and fishing club.

Martyn and Lynette organise parties for local old people and children, run tips for customers and often surprise regulars with a homemade birthday cake.

Martyn said: The Victoria is a real community pub, we haven't looked back since we took over here. "

Martyn toasts the Victorians Scooter Club.

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