A cavalcade of 19 vintage red and grey Massey Ferguson tractors completed a crossing of the treacherous sands at Morecambe Bay and raised over £4000 for the charity Diabetes UK.

Tractor enthusiasts came from all over the country to test the mettle of their restored machines as the wind whipped across the wide open sandy flats of the bay.

At the head of the convoy was mastermind of the event, 81-year old retired Massey Ferguson employee Bob Dickman driving his 1954 Ferguson TEF 20 fitted with a Ferguson Transport Box with his two granddaughters and two close friends on board. This was one of eight TE 20 models to make up the 'tractorcade'. Also along for the 17-mile (27 km) ride were a grey and gold Ferguson Fe 35 plus several MF 35 tractors, an MF 65, MF 135 and MF 390. Bringing up the rear was a 1973 MF 1200 articulated tractor.

"It was a wonderful day and great to see so many people taking part," says Bob Dickman who retired in 1995 and spent 40 years working for Massey Ferguson. "We have already doubled our original fund-raising target and are hoping to reach a final total of £5000. The money will go to a Diabetes UK Type 1 research project being carried out at Kings College Hospital in London."

"In addition, we are planning to register the event with the Guinness Book of Records as the as the first organised return crossing of tractors of the same make," he adds

Massey Ferguson supported the event with the supply of raffle prizes including an all-expenses-paid trip to its tractor factory in Beauvais, France. This star prize was won by the family of four-year-old Neev Renton from Cumbria who suffers from Type 1 diabetes and who waved the starting flag on the day.

Anyone interested in making a donation can visit: www.justgiving.com/bobdickmanMF-fergusontractorroadrun