Scooter riders gave MS sufferer Tony Sheehan the surprise of his life when they turned out in force at his care home.

Mr Sheehan, 46, has not been on a scooter since he was diagnosed 13 years ago with primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

His illness left him unable to move apart from his head and his days of riding with Feltham Scooter Club are fond memories.

His room at Greathouse care home in Kington Langley is a shrine for Mod culture, with walls adorned with 12-inch ska and soul records, and photos of happy times with his friend Yuka Irie.

In August the Gazette reported how Mr Sheehan missed the smile of Miss Irie, whom he met when she was volunteering at Greathouse, and how he would love to see her get married in her native Japan.

The photo with the article showed the pictures of scooters adorning the walls in his room and clubs decided to get together nearly 100 scooterists to give a fellow fan a great surprise.

Dickie Albrighton, 44, of Clifton Close, Chippenham, said: “Tony had said to the care home he would like to see some scooters again. He hadn’t seen any for a number of years, since he left the scene due to his illness.

“Various scooter clubs were contacted via Facebook and we expected about 20 to turn up at Chippenham Town Bridge for the ride out to Kington Langley.

“His face was an absolute picture as 98 turned up.”

Care assistant Julia Tuck said: “For 15 minutes all you could see was from one end of Kington Langley to Greathouse was Lambrettas and Vespas. It was absolutely wonderful.”

Mr Sheehan, 46, said: “It was amazing. I still haven’t got over it. They’re such nice people. People in their 40s like me but still going out in a gang and listening to Madness, it’s brilliant.”

All the scooter clubs have rallied round to arrange a fundraising night in Chippenham next week, to help Mr Sheehan’s quest to get to Japan.

So far he has received £2,005 in donations of the £12,000 he would need to fly out with his carer in May.

The night of live music will be held at The Consti Club on Saturday, December 7, from 2pm to 1am, with an auction at 9pm.

Donate at www.gofundme. com/3s5o3c