IN A scene reminiscent of a Brighton Bank Holiday in the 1960s, an Oxfordshire pub will this weekend be swamped by scores of scooters and their sartorially gifted riders.

To celebrate their 30th anniversary, The Oxford Roadrunners Scooter Club are organising a mass rally and weekend of music.

And the venue for this marathon feast of two-wheeled mod and ska-based fun? The club's spiritual home — The Boundary House in Abingdon.

Originally known as Roadrunners Oxfordshire Scooter Club, the group predates the late 70s mod revival that saw renewed interest in classic Vespa and Lambretta scooters. And keeping the original 60s faith, it has attracted members of such diverse tribes as casuals, soulies, skinheads, punks, pyschobillies, rudeboys and mods — all united by a shared love of classic Italian scooters.

Stewart Green, from Stadhampton, has been riding for approaching 24 years. He said: "The Scooter club has members from all over Oxfordshire and surrounding counties, with members spanning several generations.

"Many members have been involved since the 80s, but the club also has younger members — and some sons and daughters of the original members are now riding with the club.

"To mark the 30th anniversary, it was decided to organise a scooter custom show and evening music event.

"The landlord of the Boundary House, who is also a scooterist, offered to put on events at his pub, and booked a band for the Friday night."

And, he says, it went from there — evolving into a fully-fledged weekender.

The weekender kicks off tonight with a set by 60s-style soul band DC Fontana and northern soul, ska and other scooter-friendly classics from the Roadrunner DJs and friends.

It is followed tomorrow by all-day DJ sessions, a scooter custom show, barbecue, stalls, and a range of contests — including trophies for best Lambretta and Vespa.

Tomorrow evening is the big one, with sets by surf and garage rockers The Arousers and Jam tribute band The Collector, along with more DJs (Jonny B, Smiler and The Roadrunner DJs again) spinning scooter-scene favourites.

On Sunday, scooterists ride out to The Bullingdon, in Cowley Road, Oxford, for a set by the city's best-loved retro indie-rockers The Anydays.

The ride-out promises to be a spectacular sight, and is the idea of one of the club's younger members, Kerry Thomason, from Abingdon, who decided to stage the event as a fundraiser for the Oxford hospice Sobell House in memory of her Scooterist granddad, John William Jones, who died of cancer earlier this year, aged 56.

"My Gramp was a mod in the '60s and was into the whole scooter scene," says Kerry.

"He loved the music, the fashion, the lifestyle and restoring scooters.

"He used to get me to help clean his scooter and I'd go on the back every weekend. "When I got my own scooter we had plans to go to the rallies and as many weekenders as possible. Shortly after that he got ill — which is why we decided to do something for charity.

"We chose Sobell House because John wanted to go there when he got really ill with cancer, but there were not enough beds.

"We decided to try to raise as much money for them as we could so that other families that are suffering from cancer can benefit from the support they offer. They do such a fantastic job."

Stewart adds: "There has been a lot of interest from other scooter clubs from the surrounding counties and we are hoping for a good turn out.

"Hopefully we'll also be able to raise some money for the charity as well as celebrate our 30th birthday."

Fellow rider Paul Lowden, from East Oxford, says: "It's going to be a great weekend. If you've previously been into scooters, come and get back into it.

"If you haven't, come along anyway and enjoy a great weekend of music — which will also raise money for a great cause."

The weekender starts at the Boundary House pub in Abingdon tonight. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are £6.

Tomorrow's activities commence at 10.30am, with free entry.

The custom show takes place at 12noon. Doors for the gig, also free, open at 7pm.

Sunday's charity ride-out revs up at noon.

The Anydays play the Bullingdon at 2pm, and entry is free — with donations to charity.

There is free camping in Abingdon.

Contact the Boundary House for details.