Historic vehicle enthusiast Colin Pitt saved the day for the annual Trans Pennine Run when he managed to stave off a road closure.

Lorry restorer Colin, of Leeds Road, Otley, persuaded Yorkshire Water to delay the four-hour closure this Sunday on the authorised route through Otley.

Organisers say without his intervention the event would have been stopped in its tracks, sending the “200 or so entrants in vehicles very large and small on an unfamiliar diversion route”.

Now thanks to Colin’s help the 43rd HCVS Trans Pennine Run is due to go through the area as planned following a route which sets off from Birch Services on the M62 at 7.30am, finishing in Harrogate from 10.30am.

Along the way it will take in Rochdale, Walsden, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Halifax Shibden, Northowram and Bradford, before heading along the ring road to Shipley, Guiseley, Otley, Pool and Pannal. Trophies will be presented on The Stray by the Mayor of Harrogate at 4pm.

Among the vehicles taking part will be a 1920 Fowler steam tractor which will head to the route from its home near Guiseley.

Local entries from Ilkley, Otley, Baildon, Bradford, Harrogate and Silsden will include two West Yorkshire buses, two 1930s vans, a 1943 Diamond T tank transporter, and Albions and Seddons both from the 1950s.

Further details are available at transpenninerun@mypost office.co.uk.